Topic 2: How was independence realized in Africa during the
1960s and 1970s?
Unit 2.1: Ideas that influenced independent states
Different ideas about economic systems
o African states weren’t doing very well bc colonizers were more focused on exporting
unprocessed minerals and cash crops + importing expensive manufactured goods
rather than developing the economies of their colonies.
o After becoming independent, African states wanted to promote industrialization
through either socialism or capitalism.
African Socialism:
Communal land ownership, collective decision making, classless society.
This was supported by Leopold Senghor of Senegal and Julius Nyerere of Tanzania.
Others supported this because they thought centralized state control would mean
their economies and social structure would benefit.
Capitalism:
Relied on foreign investments and strong ties with Western countries.
Different political ideologies about government
Democracy:
Colonial powers expected their former colonies to be run as multi-party
democracies. This did happen for a while, but eventually many states became more
authoritarian.
One-Party States:
Many countries abandoned democratic forms of gov and become one-party states.
Some believe this is because democracy wasn’t traditional, and people weren’t used
to it. Colonial powers stayed in power through force and by crushing opposition,
which was all these colonies knew and understood.
Reasons for one-party systems:
1. Traditional African societies followed the rule of a chief and didn’t have
competitive elections or rivalries between parties.
2. One-party systems were straightforward, cheap, efficient.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller katkorth. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $5.65. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.