Africa Flashcards
King Farouk
King Farouk was the last reigning king of Egypt and Sudan (full name Farouk I bin Fuad). He reigned from 1936 until 1952. Farouk ascended to the throne at the age of 16 following the death of his father, King Fuad I. In 1952, a military coup led by the Free Officers Movement, headed by Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser, overthrew King Farouk’s rule. The coup marked the end of the monarchy in Egypt and the establishment of a republic.
Khedive Ismail Pasha
Khedive Ismail Pasha, also known as Ismail the Magnificent, was an Egyptian ruler who held the title of Khedive from 1863 to 1879. He was a member of the Muhammad Ali dynasty, which ruled Egypt under Ottoman suzerainty. Ismail ascended to power following the death of his father, Khedive Abbas I, and embarked on a series of ambitious modernization and development projects in Egypt. He aimed to transform Egypt into a modern and prosperous state and undertook significant infrastructure projects, including the construction of the Suez Canal. His ambitious projects led to a rapid increase in foreign debt. Ismail borrowed heavily from European powers, particularly from British and French lenders. However, Egypt’s mounting debt eventually led to a financial crisis and the loss of Egypt’s economic independence.
British Cape Colony
The British Cape Colony was a colony established by the British Empire at the southern tip of Africa. It was founded in 1806 after the British captured the Cape of Good Hope from the Dutch during the Napoleonic Wars. The colony expanded over the years, and its territory included the Cape Province, which became one of the four provinces of the Union of South Africa in 1910. The Cape Colony played a significant role in the history and development of South Africa until it was dissolved with the formation of the Republic of South Africa in 1961.
mfecane
The Mfecane was a period of turmoil and upheaval in Southern Africa during the early 19th century. It involved conflicts, migrations, and the collapse of some communities due to factors like resource competition, the rise of the Zulu kingdom under Shaka Zulu, and the impact of European settlers with firearms. It led to significant social and political changes in the region.
Shaka Zulu
Shaka Zulu was a powerful and influential leader of the Zulu kingdom in Southern Africa during the early 19th century. He rose to prominence by implementing military and social reforms that transformed the Zulu warriors into a formidable force. Under his leadership, the Zulu kingdom expanded its territory through conquests and wars with neighboring tribes. Shaka’s reign and military tactics had a profound impact on the region and contributed to the period of upheaval known as the Mfecane. His legacy continues to be a significant part of South African history and culture.
The Great Trek
The Great Trek was a mass migration of Afrikaners (Boers) from the British-controlled Cape Colony to the interior of South Africa in the 1830s and 1840s. Motivated by a desire for independence and to escape British rule, they established several independent republics, including the Natalia Republic, the Orange Free State, and the South African Republic (also known as the Transvaal). These republics marked a significant shift in South Africa’s political landscape and played a crucial role in Afrikaner history and identity.
The Boer Wars
The South African Wars, also known as the Boer Wars, occurred between 1880-1881 and 1899-1902. They were fought between the British Empire and the Boer republics established by Afrikaner settlers. The First Boer War resulted in Transvaal’s independence, while the Second Boer War ended with British victory and the incorporation of the Boer republics into the Union of South Africa in 1910. The wars had significant and lasting impacts on South Africa’s political and social landscape.
Muammar Gaddafi
Muammar Gaddafi was the de facto ruler of Libya from 1969 until his death in 2011. He came to power through a military coup in 1969, establishing the Libyan Arab Republic. Gaddafi implemented the “Jamahiriya” political system, criticized for its lack of democracy. His rule was marked by domestic policies and foreign interventions, with anti-Western rhetoric. In 2011, during the Arab Spring, protests led to a civil war. NATO intervened to support anti-Gaddafi rebels. Gaddafi was captured and killed in October 2011. His legacy remains debated, seen as a champion of anti-colonialism by some, while others criticize him for human rights abuses and regional destabilization.
Libyan Civil War
The Libyan Civil War started in 2011 after the Arab Spring protests led to the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. The country fell into chaos as different factions vied for power. Two main power centers emerged: the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli and the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by General Khalifa Haftar in eastern Libya. The conflict became a proxy war with international involvement. A permanent ceasefire was reached in October 2020, leading to the formation of an interim unity government known as the Government of National Unity (GNU) in March 2021.
Derg
The Derg was a Marxist-Leninist military junta that ruled Ethiopia from 1974 to 1987 after overthrowing Emperor Haile Selassie I. It established a one-party socialist state with radical policies but faced opposition and led to a devastating famine. The Derg was eventually overthrown by the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) in 1987.
Tigray Civil War
The Tigray civil war is an armed conflict in Ethiopia that began in November 2020 between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in the Tigray region. It resulted from long-standing political, ethnic, and economic grievances, leading to violence, displacement, and a humanitarian crisis.
Yoruba
The Yoruba people are an ethnic group from West Africa, mainly Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. They have a rich cultural heritage, known for their art, religion, and traditions. Yoruba language is spoken, and their society has a history of kingdoms and city-states. They have a unique pantheon of gods and a strong emphasis on family and community.
