Decolonisation of Africa

Quick Facts: Who was Decolonisation of Africa?

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Decolonisation of Africa

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The political process by which African colonies gained sovereignty from European powers.

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Origins & Early Life

The decolonisation of Africa was a series of political developments in Africa between the mid-1950s to 1976, during the Cold War. Colonial governments formed during the Scramble for Africa collapsed, giving way to sovereign states in a process characterised by violence, political upheaval, civil unrest, and organised revolts. Major events during the decolonisation of Africa include the Mau Mau rebellion, the Algerian War, the Congo Crisis, the Angolan War of Independence, the Zanzibar Revolution, and the events leading to the Nigerian Civil War. The Scramble for Africa between 1870 and 1914 was a significant period of European imperialism in Africa that ended with almost all of Africa, and its natural resources, claimed as colonies by European powers, who raced to secure as much land as possible while avoiding conflict amongst themselves. The partition of Africa was confirmed at the Berlin Conference of 1885, without regard for the existing political and social structures.

Career & Major Achievements

Almost all the precolonial states of Africa lost their sovereignty with the exceptions of Liberia and the Ethiopian Empire. Liberia had been settled in the early 19th century by formerly enslaved African-Americans and was recognised as independent by the United States in 1862 but was viewed by European powers as being in the United States' sphere of influence, while the Ethiopian Empire won its independence at the Battle of Adwa but was later occupied by Italy in 1936. Britain and France had the largest holdings, but Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and Portugal also had colonies. By 1977, 50 African countries had gained independence from European colonial powers. In the early 20th century, nationalism gained ground globally.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Following the end of World War I, German, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires according to the principles espoused in Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points. Though many anti-colonial intellectuals saw the potential of Wilsonianism to advance their aims, Wilson had no intention of applying the principle of self-determination outside the lands of the defeated Central Powers. The independence demands of Egyptian and Tunisian leaders, which would have compromised the interests of the victorious Allies, were not entertained. Though Wilsonian ideals did not endure as the interwar order broke down, the principle of an international order based on the self-determination of peoples remained relevant. After 1919, anti-colonial leaders increasingly oriented themselves toward the Soviet Union's proletarian internationalism.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1862: 1862 Milestone — Liberia had been settled in the early 19th century by formerly enslaved African-Americans and was recognised as independent by the United States in 1862 but was viewed by European powers as being in the United States' sphere of influence, while the Ethiopian Empire won its independence at the Battle of Adwa but was later occupied by Italy in 1936.
2. 1870: 1870 Milestone — The Scramble for Africa between 1870 and 1914 was a significant period of European imperialism in Africa that ended with almost all of Africa, and its natural resources, claimed as colonies by European powers, who raced to secure as much land as possible while avoiding conflict amongst themselves.
3. 1885: 1885 Milestone — The partition of Africa was confirmed at the Berlin Conference of 1885, without regard for the existing political and social structures.
4. 1919: 1919 Milestone — After 1919, anti-colonial leaders increasingly oriented themselves toward the Soviet Union's proletarian internationalism.
5. 1976: 1976 Milestone — The decolonisation of Africa was a series of political developments in Africa between the mid-1950s to 1976, during the Cold War.
6. 1977: 1977 Milestone — By 1977, 50 African countries had gained independence from European colonial powers.

Notable Quotes by Decolonisation of Africa

“Colonial exploitation is a denial of human rights, and that power should be transferred back to the countries or territories concerned.” (1960)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Decolonisation of Africa

True or False: “The Berlin Conference of 1885 established colonial boundaries without considering existing African political structures.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The conference confirmed the partition of Africa among European powers, disregarding pre-existing social and political arrangements.

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