Chapter 5. Nationalism – a sense of pride in and devotion to one’s country Pan-Africanism –...
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Transcript of Chapter 5. Nationalism – a sense of pride in and devotion to one’s country Pan-Africanism –...
AFRICA IN TRANSITION
Chapter 5
Nationalism – a sense of pride in and devotion to one’s country
Pan-Africanism – called for unifying all of Africa – “Africa for the Africans”
Negritude Movement – encouraged Africans to value their heritage
Winning Independence
The use of each was necessary because of the effects of colonization
◦ Faced problems of competing ethnic groups
◦ Politically needed to build national unity
◦ Combat the emphasis of family and ethnic ties over national unity
Gained independence through mostly peaceful means◦ Boycott – refusal to buy certain goods or services
First leader – Kwame Nkrumah
1957 – gained independence◦ First black nation to gain independence
Ghana
Anti-colonialism
Desire for modern technology
Desire for same standard of living as Europeans
Creation of higher expectations◦ No preparation made for independence◦ Replace or weakened local leaders◦ Disrupted traditional economy
Colonial Legacy
Artificial boundaries
◦ Contained rival people
◦ Divided people of same ethnic groups
◦ Small nations Difficult meeting economic needs
Colonial Legacy con’t
Positive changes
◦ Infrastructure – build roads, bridges, railroads, dredged harbors for larger ships
◦ Set up schools – created an educated middle class
◦ Introduced new farming methods and new crops
Colonial Legacy con’t
One-party rule◦ Created due to belief that competing political
parties created division in society◦ Reflected tradition African values of discussion
and consensus
Military rule◦ Stepped in to restore order and get rid of corrupt
leaders◦ Often used harsh measures◦ Often became corrupt themselves
Steps Toward Development
Countries with stable governments at independence made the most economic progress
Joined movement toward democratization◦ Democratization – accepting many different
political parties
Stability and Progress
African Socialism◦ Socialism – government owns and operates major
businesses and controls other parts of the economy
Mixed economies◦ Most African nations now have mixed economies
◦ Major goal is to build factories and produce goods for their own use Hope to reduce dependence of foreign imports
Economic Systems
Multi-national corporations – huge enterprises with branches in many countries
◦ Invest in mining and large agricultural operations
◦ Some feel they are replacing colonial power in economic systems
◦ Make profits from exporting African crops and commodities
◦ Most profits flow out of Africa
Share similar economic goals to improve agriculture and build modern industries
Government programs neglect the needs of subsistence farmers
Most programs focus on cash crops
Food crop prices kept low◦ Helps workers buy food but farmers suffer from
low prices
Economic Choices and Challenges
Growing population causes fertile land to become exhausted
Drought has affected farm output◦ Starvation
Economic Choices and Challenges con’t
Major goal to reduce economic dependence
Export of one major crop◦ Puts countries at mercy of world market prices
Few nations can produce enough◦ Requires import of necessary goods◦ Necessary to borrow money◦ Difficulties repaying debts
Economic Choices and Challenges con’t
Hurt by events outside their control◦ Debt◦ Drought ◦ Disease◦ Civil war◦ International conflicts
All work against economic progress
Economic Choices and Challenges con’t
Population rose rapidly since independence◦ Better healthcare◦ Traditional value placed on large families
Rate of increase has slowed due to AIDS
Approx. ½ of population is under 15◦ Creates problems
Housing, schools, jobs
Population Explosion
Growth of industry has led to rapid urbanization
Rural poverty has led to people giving up farming◦ Want the benefit of urban life
Better jobs, improved housing, better schools, more healthcare
Changing Patterns of Life
Urbanization has reshaped African societies
New urban elite◦ Hold top jobs in government and industry◦ Wealth, education and power set them apart
Small middle-class◦ Office clerks and factory supervisors
Majority of urban population are poor workers
Effects of Urbanization
Urbanization has changed family life
Nuclear family◦ Bonds of lineage and kinship are weakened
Marriage customs are changing◦ Choose your own mate
Benefits of westernization are welcomed but encouraged to preserve traditional values◦ Islamic revival to combat westernization
Effects of Urbanization
Have gained some rights
Help women get technical training and jobs
Rural areas life has changed very little
Deterioration in quality of life◦ War, conflict, and spread of AIDS
Women’s Lives
Education has made for cultural change◦ Encourages a sense of national unity
Government has built schools and trained teachers
Education challenges◦ Drop out rate◦ Few classes at higher level◦ Cuts in spending for education
Nigeria’s oil wealth has resulted in corruption, pollution, and an increased gap between rich and poor
Nigeria