Final Exam Review Flashcards
Elmina
fishing port on the south coast of Ghana, in West Africa known for its beaches and for its role in the former transatlantic slave trade
Afonso I
sixth ruler of the Kingdom of Kongo who converted Kongo into a Catholic country
the Battle of Adwa
ensured Ethiopia’s independence, becoming the only African country never to be colonised
African National Congress
created to end apartheid and gain rights for non-white races
Ujamaa
means “extended family”, “brotherhood”
Muhammad Ali
OAU
Organization of African Unity: promote unity among the African states and safeguard sovereignty
Usman dan Fodio
Islamic religious teacher, revolutionary, and philosopher who founded the Sokoto Caliphate
“Casablanca Group”
an association of African states who shared the same view of Pan-Africanism
Samora Machel
first president of Mozambique
Abd al-Qadir
Algerian religious and military leader who led a struggle against the French invasion in the early 19th century
Lotha Von Trotha
German military commander who led a genocide in southwest Africa
Sékou Touré
proclaimed Guinea’s independence thus becoming their first president
Reconquista
a period in the history of the Iberian Peninsula, spanning approximately 770 years
Mfecane/Difaqane
a historical period of military conflict that enforced migration and changed Africa socially, politically, and demographically
Maji Maji
meaning “sacred water”; a widespread interethnic rebellion in southern German East Africa
Ellen Sirleaf Johnson
first female president of an African country who strived to heal ethnic tensions
Oyo
powerful Yoruba empire; present-day Benin and Nigeria
Ndongo
an early-modern African state, now Angola
Mau Mau
a war in the British Kenya Colony between the Kenya Land and Freedom Army
Idi Amin
military officer/president of Uganda; known for brutal regimes
FLN
used violence in attempts to unify African states
Middle Passage
where millions of enslaved Africans were transported to the Americas as part of the triangular slave trade
Olaudah Equiano
writer and abolitionist who himself was a slave
Juvenal Habyarimana
Rwanda president who was assassinated on a plane
Amilcar Cabral
early African author who also served as one of Africa’s foremost anti-colonial leaders
John Chilembwe
Baptist pastor who led an uprising against British rule in 1915
Sharpeville Massacre
police officers opened fire at peaceful protestors advocating against oppressive pass laws
Dingiswayo
African chief who mentored Shaka Zulu, a great Zulu king
Marcus Garvey
founder of the UNIA; declared himself Provisional President of Africa
Samori Touré
Muslim reformer and military leader who founded a powerful kingdom in West Africa and resisted French colonial expansion in the late 19th century
Arusha Declaration
sought to reduce the income inequality among all citizens and shift development efforts towards rural areas
Robert Sobukwe
first president of the Pan Africanist Congress, advocating for an Africanist future in South Africa
Tippu Tip
sold tens of thousands of people into bondage in the Arabian peninsula and beyond
Kenneth Kaunda
first president of Zambia who fought for independence from British rule
Ahmad al-Bashir
head of state of Sudan until he was accused of several crimes against humanity
BRIC
a grouping acronym referring to the developing countries of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, which are identified as rising economic powers
Hendrik Witbooi
led the Nama people against German colonial rule but was killed in action
How did the Pan-African movement begin and why? What was its significance for the political developments on the African continent in the 20th century?
How: the African people were resistant to enslavement and colonization
Why: in response/opposition to European exploitation of the African continent
What: increased international awareness of racism/colonialism and laid the foundation for the political independence of African nations
What and when was the Berlin Conference and how did it shape the history of modern Africa?
What: regulated European colonization and trade in Africa during the New Imperialism period at the same time Germany was rising in imperial power
When: November 1884
How: established the legal claim by Europeans that all of Africa could be occupied by whomever could take it
What was the significance of the so-called “mineral revolution” in Southern African history?
kickstarted racial segregation and the control of white South Africans over lack South Africans
Discuss the role of Islam in anti-colonial struggle in Africa. Give three examples.
- established diplomatic exchanges with North African states
- engaged contact with the Mediterranean world
- caused the rebellions in Algeria and the Kaocen War in Niger
Discuss the effect and influence of Christian missionaries in the 19th century in Africa. What role did they play in imperial developments on the continent?
Christianity was introduced to Africa when missionaries came from Europe. They used Christianity as justification on exploiting Africa. From there, they reformed African culture.
When did Italy invade Ethiopia? Why and with what results?
When: 1896
Why: They wanted to conquer the land and boost Italian national prestige.
Results: Ethiopian forces won and forced the Italians off their land, saving themselves from colonization.
What are differences between “direct” and “indirect” colonial rule?
Direct: subjects as citizens, have to live by European rule/standards
Indirect: subjects under hierarchies of power, more freedom/involvement in government
Explain the rise of African nationalism after World War II. What were some of the other impacts of the first and second world wars on the Continent?
Following WWI, African colonies gained freedom from countries such as Germany, but they also suffered economically as the prices paid for their primary goods decreased.
However, WWII was the basis of nationalism for Africa as they gained political independence and freedom.
Kwame Nkrumah coined the term “neo-colonialism” to describe conditions on the African continent after independence. What did he mean?
He means it as an attempt to completely wipe out colonialism and capitalism. In other words, it is against direct colonial rule.
What does “underdevelopment” mean? How does it apply to modern Africa and what are some of its contemporary effects and manifestations?
“Underdevelopment” happens when the economic state and standard of living is low. With poverty, lack of educational opportunities, violence, and hunger, Africa today is considered an underdeveloped nation.
Why was Mu’ammar al-Qadhdhafi overthrown and assassinated?
On the outside, it seemed he was killed for crimes against humanity. His death was to prevent anymore offenses from being committed. However, many say that he actually wanted “real independence”, and his ways were simply misunderstood.
Discuss the role of the military in contemporary African politics. Give two examples.
- take on military coup attempts to regain territory
- counter transnational threats to respond to crises and promote stability
What was the “Arab Spring”? What were some of the historical and political economic factors behind these movements?
The Arab Spring was a series of anti-government protests that spread across much of the Arab world in the early 2010s, starting from Tunisia. It started because the economic state of Africa was corrupt and stagnant.
Why do you think Patrice Lumumba’s appeals to the United Nations received little support?
He became very irrational and was even blamed for causing the nation to dive headfirst into civil war. He lost much of his credibility following his depleting reputation.
Who came up the policy known as Ujamaa? What does it mean and what was its historical and political significance?
Who: President Nyerere
Meaning: “familyhood”, even “African socialism”
Significance: It brought people of Africa together in order to bring a stop to colonialism. It united nations and rid the African peoples of division.
How have relations between China and the African continent changed from the 1970s to the present? What are some of the implications for the future?
China and Africa have since become great trading partners, trade increasing by 700% in the 1990s. In the future, it seems that Africa will have access to much of China’s manufacturing and trade goods, as China’s booming economy will help Africa find their way out of underdevelopment, especially in a world that is so technological and innovative and will likely only get more advanced.
List 3 ways nationalism affected Africa politically, economically, and in their overall development.
- Africa was united against European domination
- “Re-education” was promoted to bring back factors of their culture (e.g. food, dance, music, architecture); new identity
- Emphasized industrialization (e.g. trade)
