AFRICAN NATIONALISM | AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

A major force in the political awakening of Africa and in the rebellion of its peoples against colonial rule. An important element was the development among the native populations of a sense of identity as black Africans rather than as subjects of colonial powers, and this was combined with a determination to achieve independence.

As Africans came into contact with Europeans, they realized that a gap existed between colonial policies and Western political ideas such as democracy and freedom. The European policy of racial discrimination and separation, as shown in reserving the best land for whites, and in politics and education, naturally angered native Africans. Conditions of life did not necessarily improve for the native peoples and in some cases became worse as a result of European colonialism. Isolated rebellions took place against European colonization and rule. Despite their political differences, the African nations saw themselves as united in the struggle against ‘white colonialism’ and sought a distinctive third alternative, influenced by socialism, between East and West.

Forty nations in Africa became independent between 1956-1975. However, changing preindustrial living conditions to meet the needs of the modern world war a huge task, difficulties included tribal factions, political instability and grave socio-economic problems, which led to demands for developmental aids.

AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS (ANC)

A movement founded in South Africa in 1912 to unite African opinion and to draw white attention to the problems of blacks by demonstrations, deputations, and overseas delegations. The leaders were mainly Christian, middle-class, and Western educated, and believed constitutional progress could be made by argument ad passive resistance rather than violence. It formally renounced nonviolence after the Sharpeville massacre in 1960, at which point it was also banned. Guerilla activity associated with the movement became widespread in South Africa. The release from prison of its leader Nelson Mandela in 1990 and the ending of the ban on the ANC led to hopes of reconciliation between blacks and whites. In 1991 the apartheid laws were abolished. Following a referendum, a multiracial constitution was agreed, and Mandela became president of South Africa when the ANC won the 1994 election. Mandela was succeeded as president in 1999 by Thabo M’Beki, who had become leader of the ANC in 1997.