A State of Independence

Fifty years ago the political map of Africa was changing fast with several countries such as the Ivory Coast, Mali and Ghana attaining independence.  Just forty years before, a handful of developed countries in the west controlled almost 700 million people in overseas colonies including Africa.   Here a colonial foreman oversees the work of the "trained natives" in Kenya.



But dissatisfaction with their colonial masters was growing, particularly in Kenya. The Mau Mau uprising took place between 1952 and 1960 when the incumbent British governers attempted to squash a rebellion by an anti-colonial political faction called 'Mau Mau'.  This action inspired many other African nations to fight for independence.  This rare clip shows a British colonial couple showing off what was an essential accessory for them in Kenya c1954. 



Nigeria, Africa's most populous country and its third largest economy, was granted independence in October 1960.  While the Queen remained as Head of State and the Commonwealth, Nigeria was handed power to establish and run its own defence, fiscal and diplomatic infrastructure.  Nigeria's independence was greeted with great optimism given its rich mineral deposits and oil and gas reserves.  Here is some footage of Nigeria's independence celebrations.



Although some African countries made a relatively straightforward transition to independence, the Belgians were criticized at the time for their ill-conceived exit strategy from the Congo which left the country in a state of chaos.  The following newsreel clip shows the terrifying conclusion  for Patrice Lumumba, the Congo's first Prime Minister, as the country descended into civil war.