The successes and challenges faced by independent Africa (6)

Question 1

Independence from colonial rule was a turning point in African history. It raised expectations that new and better political, economic and social systems would emerge. This included: (3)

Answer 1

• self-rule by Africans and the freedom to choose their own leaders and of government
• economic prosperity with full ownership of the minerals, crops and manufactured goods of the nation
• the Africanisation of the administration systems, the education system, language and culture and the ways in which society was organized.

Question 2

What did Africans want at the time of independence?

Answer 2

At the time of independence Africans wanted self-reliant independent states that would be free of the controls and restrictions that they had experienced under colonial rule. They wanted ones in which they would be able to choose what kind of state they wanted for themselves.

Question 3

Tanzania experienced political unity in the ___ and ___.

Answer 3

1960s

1970s

Question 4

Who led the struggle for independence in Tanzania?

Answer 4

TANU, (the Tanganyika African National Union), had led the struggle for independence and had a large majority in government under its leader Julius Nyerere.

Question 5

How did the Tanzanian government seek to bring about change after gaining independence?

Answer 5

At the time of independence in 1961, this government aimed to bring about change through welfare and development programs that relied on foreign aid and investment.

Question 6

What ideology did Tanzania adopt after the Arusha Declaration?

Answer 6

However, after the Arusha Declaration of 1967, Tanzania adopted African socialism as its main political ideology. The kind of state that emerged was based on socialist principles applied to African circumstances, with centralized government, nationalized industries, rural reform programs and limits to capitalist activities.

Question 7

Did the socialist state in Tanzania live on?

Answer 7

No, although many changes were made, there were problems implementing them successfully and by the 1980s it was adapted.

Question 8

The banning of political parties under Belgian rule and the sudden withdrawal of the Belgians in 1960 meant that there was no ___ ____ party with overall support. Instead, there were many _____ interests and ideologies.

Answer 8

united
political
competing

Question 9

What did the MNC under Lumumba want?

Answer 9

The MNC (Mouvement National Congolais) under Lumumba wanted a strong centralized government but most other parties wanted regional power.

Question 10

How was a lack of national unity seen?

Answer 10

This lack of national unity was seen immediately after independence when the provinces of Katanga and Kasai broke away.

Question 11

When Lumumba turned to the ____ ____ for support it seemed that he wanted Congo to be a socialist state.

Answer 11

Soviet Union

Question 12

What did Lumumba’s murder lead to?

Answer 12

But his murder led to a period of great confusion and conflict which only ended in 1965 when Mobutu seized power in a military coup and set up a one-party state with support from the West, specifically the USA.

Question 13

What was Mobuto’s vision for Zaire?

Answer 13

Mobuto had a different vision for Zaire. He initially stressed the need for authenticity; that is, an increased awareness of indigenous African beliefs and practices rather than foreign ideas. He announced a policy of Zairianization which included the nationalization of foreign-owned small businesses, most of which ended in 1974 up under the control of his own political allies.

Question 14

What policy was imposed as the official ideology of Zaire?

Answer 14

By the late 1970s, a policy of Mobutuism was imposed as the official ideology of Zaire.

Question 15

What was Mobutuism?

Answer 15

This was defined as ‘the thought and vision of Mobuto Sese Seko’, a clear personality cult.

Question 16

Did people accept the policy of Mobutuism?

Answer 16

There was considerable opposition to this policy by those who were excluded from Mobuto’s circle of supporters.

Question 17

Which country was more autocratic and corrupt between Congo (Zaire) and Tanzania?

Answer 17

The state in Zaire in the 1960s and 1970s was therefore much more autocratic and corrupt than in Tanzania and was more dependent on outside support in the Cold War era. These differences had fundamental effects on the policies that were implemented in each state.