Transcript Chapter 35 section 2: The Challenge of Democracy in Africa

Chapter 35 section 2:
The Challenge of Democracy in
Africa
As the recent histories of Nigeria and South
Africa show, ethnic and racial conflicts can
hinder democracy
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Colonial Rule Limits Democracy
European Policies Cause Problems
• Borders of colonies in Africa ignore ethnic and
cultural divisions
• As a result, national identity is slow to develop in
Africa
• Colonial rule produces economic problems
• Colonial rule also disrupts family and community
life
• Post-independence governments fragile and
vulnerable to military coups
Nigeria
A Land of Many
People
• Nigeria has people
from three different
ethnic groups- each
with own state
• Country adopts a
federal system- state
and central
government share
power
War with Biafra
• In 1960s, country torn
by ethnic fighting
• Military imposes
martial lawtemporary military
rule
• In 1967 eastern
region leaves Nigeria,
forms new country of
Biafra
• War ends in 1970 with
Biafra defeated and
Nigeria reunited
Nigeria’s Nation Building
• In 1970s and 1980s military tries to create
stable federal system
• General Sani Abacha overturns election
results of 1993 and takes power
• He punishes dissents- government
opponents
• In 1999, civilian government finally gains
power
Civilian Presidents in Nigeria
• Obasanjo tries to build strong, unified Nigeria by
ending corruption
• Promotes idea of forgiveness of Nigeria’s debt to
rebuild country
• Umaru Yar’Adua elected president in 2007
• Militant group threatened Nigeria’s oil exports
and economic growth
• Yar’ Adua died in May 2010 due to illness and
next election is early 2011
• Civil rights and other problems have gotten
better since the Obansanjo controls the
government
South Africa Under Apartheid
• South Africa gains independence in 1931;
white minority rules
• In 1948, National Party enacts apartheidseparation of races
• Government sets up reserves, called
homelands, for blacks in 1959
Blacks Protest
• In 1912, blacks form African National
Congress (ANC) to protest
• Nelson Mandela- ANC leader imprisoned
for 27 years
• Protests rise in 1970s and 1980s,
sometimes resulting in violence
Struggle for Democracy
• Religious leader Desmond Tutu urges economic
pressure on government
• He asks other countries not to trade with South
Africa
• In 1990, FW de Klerk legalizes ANC and frees
Nelson Mandela from prison
• Parliament repeals apartheid laws and grants
rights to black
• De Klerk agrees to elections open to all races to
be held in 1994
South Africa 1990s- present
• In 1994, ANC wins majority of Parliament and
Mandela is elected President
• In 1996, new constitution is adopted giving equal
rights to all
• In 1999, Thabo Mbeki elected President
– Faces challenges: high crime, unemployment and
rampant poverty
– Hopes to increase trade with other countries
– Major problem: high number of people with AIDS
• elected Jacob Zuma president in 2009