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1400
Eurpoeans' Long Sea Voyages
When Europeans began to make long sea voyages in the 1400s, they learned of the riches of Africa beyond the Sahara and began to set up colonies. -
1400
European Powers Took Control of Africa
European powers took control of and transformed most of Africa. -
1400
Africans and Europeans Begin Trading
In the 1400s, Africans beyond the Sahara began trading with Europeans who had recently arrived on their coastlines. -
1500
Slave Trade
The trans-Saharan trade had long included enslaved people. In the 1500s, African traders began selling enslaved people for guns and other European goods. -
1500
Slave Trade
The trans-Saharan trade had long included enslaved people. In the 1500s, African traders began selling enslaved people for guns and other European goods. -
1500
Europeans had Built Trading Posts on the African Coast
Beginning in the 1500s, Europeans had built trading posts on the African coast. -
Southern and Eastern Africa Colonized
Southern and Eastern Africa were also colonized as early as the 1600s. -
Slave Trade Outlawed
The slave trade was mostly outlawed in the early 1800s, but European interference in Africa continued. -
Europeans Strarted colonizing Africa
By the early 1800s, European powers began actively colonizing Africa. -
Africans Regain Power Over their own Lands
In the 1900s, Africans regained power over their own lands. -
Africa Divided into Colonies
By 1900, European nations had divided most of Africa into colonies. -
Earliest Independence in South Africa
In South Africa, independence came as early as 1910. However, this did not immediately bring all the freedoms most South Africa desired. -
Earliest Independence in South Africa
In South Africa, independence came as early as 1910. However, this did not immediately bring all the freedoms most South Africa desired. -
South Africa Gains Independence From Britain
South Africa gained independence from Britain in 1910. -
South Africa Gains Independence From Britain
South Africa gained independence from Britain in 1910. -
The Kikuyu People Started a Political Organization
In Kenya, the Kikuyu people started a political organization in the 1920s with the goal of independence from Britain. -
Italy Invaded Ethitopia
The only country that was not colonized was Ethiopia, though it was invaded by Italy in the 1930s. -
South Africa Adopts Apartheid
In 1948, South Africa adopted apartheid, a former South African policy of strict separation of races. -
South Africa Adopts Apartheid
In 1948, South Africa adopted apartheid, a former South African policy of strict separation of races. -
Period: to
The Majority of Africa Gains Independence
Most of Africa gained independence in in the 1950s and 1960s. -
Sudan Gains Independence
Sudan gained independence in 1956 -
Sudan Gains Independence
Sudan gained independence in 1956 -
Period: to
Civil War in Sudan
Civil wars raged until 2005 and killed several million people. -
Ghana Becomes Independent
Ghana became independent in 1957 -
Nigeria becomes independent
Nigeria became independent in 1960. -
Belgian Congo Gains Independence
Belgium abruptly granted independence to the Belgian Congo in 1960. -
Nelson Mandela Jailed
Nelson Mandela played a key role in ending apartheid. He was later jailed in 1962. -
Kenya Gained Independence
After years of negotiation and finally violence between the British and Kenyan fighters, Kenya gained independence in 1963. -
Oil-rich Region Attempts to Leave Nigeria
By 1967, an oil-rich region controlled by the Igbo ethnic group attempted to leave Nigeria. -
Period: to
F.W. de Klerk's Serving Time
F.W. de Klerk, South Africa's president from 1989 to 1994, realized that apartheid was destroying South Africa. -
F.W. de Klerk Releases Nelson Mandela from Prison
In 1990, F.W. de Klerk released Nelson Mandela from prison and agreed to end apartheid. -
Apartheid Ends
F.W. de Klerk ends apartheid. -
Nelson Mandela Wins Nobel Peace Prize
Nelson Mandela wan the Nobel Peace Prize with F.W. de Klerk in 1993. -
Nelson Mandela Becomes President
In 1994, South Africans of all races voted together and Mandela became president. -
Nelson Mandela Becomes President
In 1994, South Africans of all races voted together and Mandela became president. -
Hutu Military and Militia Groups Kill Many Tutsis
During a few months in 1994, Hutu military and militia groups killed an estimated 800,000 to 1 million Tutsis. -
Hutu Military and Militia Groups Kill Many Tutsis
During a few months in 1994, Hutu military and militia groups killed an estimated 800,000 to 1 million Tutsis. -
Many People Killed
Hundreds of thousands of people, mostly black farmers, were killed in the early 2000s. -
Many People Killed
Hundreds of thousands of people, mostly black farmers, were killed in the early 2000s. -
Mandela's Birthday Declared Nelson Mandela International Day
Nelson Mandela's Birthday, July 18, has been declared Nelson Mandela International Day by the United Nations. -
South Sudan Becomes Independent
In 2011, South Sudan became independent.