African Independence Movements – Summary Thoughts
From 1950 – 1985, was African independence a disaster?
Corrupt dictators, horrible economies, droughts, total disregard for the rule of law, police states, military coups, etc.
I.
The Colonial Legacy
A.
Independence period is a continuation of the colonial period
B.
Resistance to occupation was violent, out of proportion to the task
C.
Troops maintained for internal control
D.
Colonial rulers
E.
Forced poverty
F.
Taxation, compulsory crop cultivation, forced labor
G.
Loss of income, shortages of subsistence crops, famine, urban slums and ghettoes (townships)

II.
Misgovernment
A.
Africans got no training in governing
B.
No voting history (no democratic traditions)
C.
“Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
D.
Pomp and circumstance
III. Legal Rights - Having a lawyer, Appeals, Jury, etc.
IV.
Economic Life
A.
Imports and Exports
B.
No re-investment in the colony
V.
National Borders
So, was African independence a disaster?
• Only France and Great Britain really practiced liberal democratic ideals, and that came after hundreds of years of struggle and fighting.
• Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Russia all had fascist dictators, which many African leaders admired