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1400
The Start Of New Trade
During the Golden Age of Exploration, Europeans began to sail south around Southern Africa in an attempt to reach the wealth of silks and spices found in India and China. In doing so, they learned more about Africa’s people, cultures, and most importantly, wealth. As a result, Europeans began to trade with the inhabitants South Africa. -
1500
Slave Trade
Later on European traders began to sell Africans guns and European goods in exchange for slaves. Those slaves were then transported across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas to work on plantations. Then the increase in the number of guns available to the people living in Africa caused lots of fighting between different groups which weakened everyone and made it much easier for Europeans to take over. -
1500
Beginning of Colonization
Europeans had begun to build trading posts in Africa. -
Colonizing And Taking Over
By the early 1800s, Britain was colonizing or taking over another country for its resources. Europeans knew that Africa had many important trade routes and resources they wanted. Britain began by taking Egypt; which had an important man made canal. Britain, France, Germany, and Portugal all started to take land in Africa. Between them all Britain and France had the most land with Britain taking western central and Southern Africa, and France taking most of West Africa. -
Europe Has Taken Over
Europe has taken over almost every country in all of Africa except for Ethiopia. -
South African Independence
South Africa was granted independence from Great Britain. And even though whites were a minority they controlled the government and business. -
Fight For Freedom
Kenya starts a political organization to fight for freedom from Great Britain. -
Ethiopia Is Taken Over
Italy invades Ethiopia -
Beginning Of Rebellion
In the mid 1900s the Africans were inspired by the events of World War 2 and began to rebel seriously against colonization. -
Pan-Africanism Is Introduced.
Kwame Nkrumah (from Ghana) introduced the idea of having Pan-Africanism. This was the belief in the unity of all Black Africans in the world. -
Apartheid is Made
A policy of legal separation based on race called Apartheid was made. Black South Africans were forced to live and work where white South Africans wanted. Black South Africans had no say in things and couldn’t marry a white. This later led to revolt. -
Sudan’s Independence
Sudan gains its independence from Great Britain -
First Civil War
The people in the south rebelled against the people and government in the north leading to civil wars. Millions died in the fighting. -
Start of Independence
Ghana gains its independence. -
Nigeria’s Independence
After a fierce struggle against the British, Nigeria becomes Independent. -
Belgium Congo’s Independence
Belgium Congo becomes independent. -
Independence For Rwanda
Rwanda gains its independence after the Hutu and Tutsi people fight brutally against each other. -
Independence for Kenya
After many years Kenya becomes independent. Jomo Kenyatta would become the now independent Kenya’s first leader. -
Mandela Doesn’t Stop
Even in prison Nelson Mandela continued to protest. -
Belgium Congo Falls
As a result of the inability to make a stable government Joseph Mobutu seized power and ruled uninterrupted for 32 years. After seizing power he renamed the country Zaire and ruled with corruption and violence. -
Igbo Fails At Independence
When Igbo renames themselves Biafra and tries to gain independence they spark a civil war. In this war over one million people died before the Igbo agreed to rejoin with Nigeria. -
Second Civil War
The people in the south rebelled against the people and government in the north leading to civil wars. Millions died in the fighting. -
A New President
F.W. De Klerk is elected president. -
Apartheid is Ended
Apartheid is ended and Nelson Mandela is released from prison. -
Nobel Prize
De Klerk and Mandela were awarded the Nobel Prize for their work ending apartheid. -
First Open Elections
Nelson Mandela was elected president after the first open elections in South Africa. -
An Attempt At Genocide
Before Rwanda gains its independence the Hutu took control of the country. The Hutu began to engage in genocide against the Tutsi and the Tutsi eventually regained power and restored peace. Between 800,000 to 1 million Tutsi were murdered. Some Hutu escaped into the Democratic Republic of Congo where both groups continue to fight. -
Arab Spring is Introduced
The people of Tunisia begin to agitate for a. More democratic government. This movement was called the Arab Spring. Protesters used social media to spread their messages against the corrupt government, high prices, and human rights abuses. -
Recognition of South Sudan
Southern Sudan’s independence is recognized by Sudan -
The Arab Spring Prevails
President Ben Ali resigns and a democratic government is elected. Similar victories occurred in Morocco and Algeria. -
Qaddafi is Killed
When Muammar Qaddafi refused to step down war broke out. Qaddafi was captured and killed, and a new government was elected.