Civil War and Military Rule
(1966-1979)
Cindy Lee
Yu Jin Yang
Background
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"Biafran War“
Eastern Region of Nigeria vs. the rest of the country
The Eastern Region declared itself an independent state (act of secession)
Regime
• Military-led government of national unity
Economy
• COMMAND ECONOMY
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The federal government controlled the dispensation of oil revenues
Oil industry grew  economic benefits
Hunger and starvation
Major infrastructural projects
Enterprises Promotion decree of 1972  foreign involvement permitted
Leaders
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General Aguiyi Ironsi
Yakubu Gowon
Murtla Muhammad
General Olusegun Obasanjo
Politics/Ideology
• Military government continued in power
• Laws were passed mandating that political parties could not
be ethnically based
• "To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done”  popular
slogan
• During the war  Coercion
Change
• Intensification of ethnic conflict
• Formation and destruction of First Republic
Bibliography
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http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/civil-war-in-nigeria
http://www.war-memorial.net/Nigerian-Civil-War--3.140
http://www.photius.com/countries/nigeria/government/nigeria_government
_the_1966_coups_civi~10021.html
textbook