Independence in Africa!
When was the Berlin Conference? What
did it decide?
In what decades did “most” African
nations gain independence? (see next
slide)
Who created the borders of these African
nations?
and poverty of some African
countries
Africa after independence
Africa is by far the world's poorest
continent. Though parts of the continent
have made significant gains over the last
few years.
Out of the 175 countries, 25 African
nations ranked lowest amongst the
nations of the world.
GDP by country; north &
south wealthiest
The northern and southern ends of the
continent are wealthiest
North Africa has long been closely linked to
the economies of Europe and M.E.
South Africa is by far the continent's
wealthiest state in total GDP.
The small but oil-rich states of Gabon and
Equatorial Guinea round out the list of the
ten wealthiest states in Africa.
Turbulent history = poverty &
lack of modernization!
Corruption
Civil Wars
The Cold War = violence in Africa
Ghana- 14 coups in 14 years!
Joseph Mobutu
Ruled over the Republic of
the Congo from from 1965 to
1997.
He formed an authoritarian
regime, amassed vast
personal wealth
Mobutu consolidated power
by publicly executing political
rivals, coup plotters, and
other threats to his rule.
Reasons for severe poverty
Civil Wars = destruction of land and economy
Droughts lead to famine
Inadequate transportation and storage of food
Fuel is primarily wood- becomes more scarce every year
African nations in debt
Corruption and theft of leaders
Low level of industry; mostly case crops
Foreigners own mining, diamond & other companies
Kenya
Have things improved or
changed in Africa?
A democratic reawakening in the 1990s!
In 1989 there were 35 African nations with oneparty rule; by 1994 there are none.
Education has increased and growth of
universities
Some improvement in technology and
infrastructure
Health care has improved
Accra, Ghana
Nairobi, Kenya
Democratic Republic
Congo- Kinshaha
Cape Town, South
Africa
Johannesburg
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