The decolonization of Africa occurred during the twentieth century when the populations of the occupied African territories managed to expel the European invader and thus gain independence.
The first African country to be independent was Liberia, in 1847; and the last, Eritrea, in 1993.
Historical context
The independence processes in Africa started in the beginning of the 20th century, with the independence of Egypt. However, only after World War II, with European powers weakened, African countries achieved independence.
People in African countries were called upon to participate in the war effort and many fought in the conflict. When finished, they imagined that they would have more autonomy, but that was not what happened. Colonialism continued as it did before the war.
Causes
After the end of World War II, the UN began to pressure the imperialist powers to put an end to colonization.
Monument to the “African Renaissance” erected in Dakar, Senegal.
Likewise, the world was experiencing the Cold War , the dispute for world hegemony between the United States (capitalism) and the USSR (socialism).
Both countries supported the rebel side that came closest to their ideas in order to co-opt them into their sphere of influence.
In the same way, pan-Africanist ideas conquered the African continent with their thought for African unity.
See also: Imperialism in Africa
Pan-Africanism
The colors of the Pan-African flag represent blood, black people and African nature
In the inter-war period, the idea began to emerge that Africans had more similarities than differences.
Virtually the entire continent had suffered from European colonization and the slave trade. In this way, pan-Africanism was created that thought of a common identity among Africans in order to unite them against the European invader.
One of the most prominent leaders of Pan-Africanism was the American WEB Du Bois (1868-1963), who stood out by writing about the racial issues of his time and supporting the independence movements of the African continent.
Du Bois was an active participant and organizer of the Pan-African Congress that was held periodically to discuss topics relevant to the black people.
summary
Independence processes on the African continent occurred at different times. For example, the nations of northern West and East Africa were free from the 1950s.
Those belonging to Sub-Saharan Africa , in 1960, the members of Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region between 1970 and 1980.
Egypt achieved its independence in 1922, but it was in the 1950s that several states achieved their autonomy, such as Libya (1951), Morocco and Tunisia (1956) and Ghana (1957).
Between 1957 and 1962, 29 countries became new independent states and contributed to accelerate the process of African decolonization.
Each imperialist country left Africa differently. Let’s see:
- The United Kingdom agrees to withdraw from certain territories and transfer power to leaders chosen by the metropolis. To keep them as allies, the Commonwealth is created.
- France changes the status of its colonies to Overseas Provinces and, later, creates the French Community where it will gather its former possessions keeping French as the official language and a common currency. The exception will be the bloody Algerian War .
- Spain transformed Equatorial Guinea into an overseas province in 1960 and Ceuta and Melila into cities. In 1968, Equatorial Guinea was declared independent.
- Belgium will become involved in the Congo War .
- Portugal does not accept to dispose of its colonies and will only change the status of these territories in 1959. Even so, the 60s and 70s are marked by armed conflicts only resolved with the Carnation Revolution in 1974.
See also: End of the Portuguese Empire in Africa
After Independence
For many countries, there were no significant changes and the population remained oppressed by the elite. Cartoon from the German newspaper “Nova Gente”, January 1960.
The cost of the struggle for independence was high, as a result of colonial wars that caused the lives of millions of people and undermined the productive capacity of countries.
After the end of Africa’s decolonization, most new countries enter civil war. This was because there were peoples who were historically enemies and now lived within the same border.
The different ideologies – capitalism and socialism – also faced various groups for power.
In addition, the former colonizers tried to keep the new nations as allies. For this, they become partners and buyers of raw materials from these countries.
Although the continent has shown growth in recent decades, African countries are still suffering the consequences of colonization and bad governments.
