chapter 19, section 4

Chapter 19, section 4

1. Bantu Migrations and Colonial Exploitation
a. Bantu Migrations
i. The Bantu were a group of people who spoke the Bantu languages
ii. Beginning in 2,000 b.c. they migrated from what is now Nigeria towards the south
iii. They may have began this journey because of a land shortage
iv. They created a large diversity of cultures throughout Africa
b. The Slave Trade
i. Europeans needed slaves to work their plantations
ii. The Portuguese established the Island of Sao Tomé as a slaver base
iii. The end of the slave trade happened in 1870
c. Start of colonialism
i. Europeans had been in Africa since the 14 century, but stayed on the coast
ii. That changed when the king of Belgium, Leopold the II developed a want for Belgium
iii. By 1884 he controlled the area and led the way to the Berlin Conference
d. Effects of Colonialism
i. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the Belgians and French controlled Central Africa
ii. Most countries of the area gained independence in the 1960s
iii. New leaders were often corrupt
2. Economic Legacy of Colonialism
a. Economic Effects
i. Central Africa’s economy is still recovering from colonialism: The loss of resources, the disruption of political systems, and the cultural and ethnic oppressions
ii. The only infrastructure was made to extract raw resources
b. Congo’s Economic Chaos
i. In the DRC, Mobutu, the countries leader, brought the country’s businesses under national control
ii. Mobutu used the army to stay in power.
iii. The regime collapsed in 1997, and his son was elected president
3. The influence of Central African Art
a. Central African Art
i. After decolonization, countries banned western influences to their art
ii. Today artist are focusing on political injustice and instability
b. Fang sculpture
i. The fang, who live in Gabon, are famous for their carvings
ii. They made boxes that would contain skulls and bones
4. Improving Education
a. Education faces barriers
i. In 2001, less than half of 16-20 year olds were educated
ii. Central Africa is home to over 700 languages
b. Learning in central Africa
i. In Cameroon, most kids leave school at the age of 12
ii. In CAR, ages 14 to 16 are required to attend
iii. Many schools have programs that will educate children on disease.
5. Summary
a. This section went of the history and economy of Central Africa. It went over the attempts at economic reform in the Congo, and the legacy of colonialism. It also. talked about the shadow of slavery that hung over the country for years, and the barriers to education in the region