The History Book

IN CONTEXT

Focus

Postcolonial Africa

Before

1946 The formation of the international Pan-African Federation promotes African independence.

1952–60 The Mau Mau uprising in Kenya against the British marks a turning point in the struggle for independence.

1956 A humiliating defeat for France and Britain in Suez signals a further decline of the old European powers.

After

1957–75 Most African nations achieve independence from French, British, Portuguese, and Belgian rule.

1963 The Organization of African Unity is founded.

1994 South Africans are the last people on the continent to achieve majority rule.

In February 1948, at a time when the Gold Coast, a British ...