Introduction to Decolonization

Introduction to Decolonization

Open Ended

Based on the gif images, what happened in Africa between 1950 and 2008?

Multiple Choice

Decolonization can best be defined as

• "Separateness"; system of racial segregation in South Africa

• independence of nations after World War II that were once ruled by European powers

• Giving in to an aggressor to prevent conflict

• An organization that works to settle disagreements and keep peace following WWII

Multiple Select

What were European nations seeking in Africa when they were colonizing the continent?

• Goods

• Land

• Labor

Multiple Choice

What role did WWII play in aiding the process of decolonization?

• Colonies assisted in defeating the Nazis, and most empires were destroyed and weakened after WWII.

• The colonies in Africa became military powers post-WWII and were able to gain their independence through their militaries.

• The Cold War occupied most European's interests, and focus shifted away from the colonization of Africa.

• European power no longer needed supplies for their colonies following WWII.

   

Multiple Select

Which of these factors led to decolonization

• After World War II, European countries lacked the wealth and political support necessary to suppress far-away revolts.

• They could not oppose the new superpowers the U.S. and the Soviet Union‘s stands against colonialism.

• Strong independence movements in colonies

​Pan Africanism

​Pan-Africanism is an ideology and movement that encourages the solidarity of Africans worldwide. It is based on the belief that unity is vital to economic, social, and political progress, and aims to "unify and uplift" people of African descent. Those who support Pan-Africanism believe that all African peoples and countries are intertwined. At its core Pan-Africanism is a belief that African peoples, both on the continent and in the diaspora, share not merely a common history, but a common destiny.”

​The Pan-African Flag

'Black is . . . for black people. Red shows . . . [that] the blood of an African is the same colour as the blood of a European, and green shows . . . [that] when we were given this country by God it was green, fertile, and good.'

Open Ended

How might the idea of Pan-Africanism have contributed to African independence movements in the mid-20th century?

Multiple Choice

What was the problem with the colonial boundaries in Africa?

• It led to peaceful decolonization

• It caused conflict between rival groups within an artificial boundary

• It wasn't a problem

• It caused major economic issues

Multiple Choice

The best known example of the problems these arbitrary boundaries caused was the...

• Explosion at Chernobyl

• Rwandan Genocide

• Breakdown of the Berlin Wall

• Collapse of the Soviet Union

Multiple Choice

What aspect of European economic policy negatively affected the economic growth of newly created African nations?

• Colonial economies were always weak

• Colonial economies were designed to extract wealth from Africa

• The profits from production flowed into Africa

• Wealth was typically owned by Africans

Multiple Select

Which of the following were problems African nations faced since gaining independence?

• Many of their people were uneducated.

• Their leaders often had little experience in ruling

• Many nations were ruled by military leaders who became oppressive dictators

Multiple Choice

Which of the following issues were created by colonialism?

• They built roads and infrastructure for the benefit of the native people. AND Most resources remained in the colony for the benefit of those living in the area.

• The boundaries they drew were often arbitrary combining different ethnic groups. AND The colonizer's focus on value extraction hurt the newly created nations.

Multiple Choice

According to John Greene, progress in Africa has been spotty and fragile

• True

• False

• Neither

• Both

Open Ended

What was one benefit that a country might gain from decolonization?

Open Ended

What was one issue that might plague a country because of decolonization?