Post-war Independence, Nationalism, and Imperialism in Africa

[Rusty Shackleford]

So, inspired by the discussion in the Mussolini and Ethiopia (http://www.revleft.com/vb/mussolini-and-etiophia-t179592/index.html?p=2598428#post2598428) thread, I'll create a thread for discussion on anything regarding post-war Africa.

From Nasser to Nkrumah, to Imperialist intervention and IMF loans... Have at it!
(lets not forget Apartheid, Angola, or Algeria! Alliteration!)



To start off ill post a documentary Takayuki was recommending regarding Ghanan independence, Kwame Nkrumah, and the subsequent indebting of Ghana and overthrow of the Nkrumah government.
Part 1
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Part 2
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Part 3
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Part 4
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[garrus]

Is there somewhere a general summary of the events for us that know nothing on the topic?

[Rusty Shackleford]

I think watching the Documentary would be a great start.


Because Nkrumah was the first Black African Prime Minister of Africa, it sort of marks an era in and of itself. Though he was no communist or insurrectionist, he represented a brand of African nationalism and unionism that has carried on with other African nationalists and independence movements. The Documentary also focuses very heavily on the Volta River Dam Project which was seen as essential to industrializing Ghana. It goes on to show how and American Aluminum Company pressured Ghana into a neo-colonial relationship in terms of Aluminum production. Then there was the issue of corruption of the governing party and so European investors would buy themselves big, useless industrial contracts in Ghana.

Now it is almost an old story, that relationship in the chain of commodity production.


It is a VERY broad subject. I am by no means an expert on it but ive got the energy for it right now. I have not read Fanon or studied African politics much. But, if you have questions, interesting things to post, documentaries, pictures (though keep them on point) and all that, this is the place for it.


Say you had a question about what made Algeria so important in the 50s and 60s. A person may refer you to The Battle of Algiers


Which is a really goddamn good movie
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[Sudsy]

One of the sickening untold stories of imperialism in Africa is the Apartheid funded RENAMO. Essentially a band of rapist murdering bandits, terrorizing Mozambique for its socialism and independence, which leads to Samora Machel. All leftists should read more about Samora Machel, perhaps the greatest hero for Africa.

[bcbm]

the empire in africa, about the civil war in sierra leone

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if anyone has general questions i will try to keep an eye on this thread, i know a bit about african history. i can try to whip up a brief recommended reading list too, if anyone is interested.

[Rusty Shackleford]

How to Master Secret Work - SACP (http://www.marxists.org/history/international/comintern/sections/sacp/1980/secret-work.htm)


This is a pamphlet about the role of secrecy in solving the tasks of the Revolution. Secrecy gives us protection by starving the enemy of information about us. Secrecy helps us build a strong revolutionary movement to overthrow the enemy.

There is nothing sinister about using secret methods to help win freedom. Through the ages the ruling classes have made it as difficult as possible for the oppressed people to gain freedom. The oppressors use the most cruel and sinister methods to stay in power. They use unjust laws to ban, banish, imprison and execute their opponents. They use secret police, soldiers, spies and informers against the people’s movements. But the people know how to fight back and how to use secret methods of work.

The early history of struggle in our country is full of good examples. Makanda, Cetshwayo, Sekhukhune and Bambatha made use of secret methods to organise resistance. Bambatha, for example, prepared his rebellion against colonialism in great secrecy from the Nkandla forest.