Algeria vs. Kenya - Decolonization

DECOLONIZATION

Algeria vs. Kenya

Algeria: Before Colonization

Part of Roman Empire300 years under Ottoman

Rule Berber people

indigenous people Spread of Islam and the coming

of the Arab

•North Africa•Large Arab population

Algeria

Algeria: Colonization

1830-19621830 – French army

invaded AlgeriaIncrease tradeSpread French culture

and religion Exploited agricultural

resources“Settler Colony”

Algeria: Decolonization

Influential leader: Ahmed Ben Bella assumed power

Non – Aligned Movement Single Party State(FLN)Independence: Algerian War of Independence (1954–1962)Protracted negotiations led to a cease-fire

signed by France and FNL: March 8,1962

Gained its independence July 3,1962

Kenya: Before Colonization

1st century AD Arab traders Arab and Persian colonies established

Portuguese arrived in 1498 Islamic control under the Imam of Omam in 1600

Berlin Conference 1885Bristish Government founded:

East African Protectorate in 1895 

Kenya

Borders the Indian Ocean in East Africa

Port City Links with

Middle East and Asia

Kenya:Colonization

Under Bristish control for sixty-eight year

Bristish colony in 1920-1963 Production of tea and

coffe Built homes and

large plantations “Settler Colony”

Kenya:Decolonization

Influential leader Jomo Kyenatta

Mau Mau resistance against British colonial power Lasted for 7 years Assassinated government supporters

British government detained more than a 100,000 Kikuyu British was successful in ending the conflict

Negotiated independence Ensuring a close relationship Political settlement

Gained its independence December 12,1963

Similarities: violent resistance

Kenya Mau Mau Resistance (1952-

1960) against Bristish power 11,000 Africans dead Cause a split between

European Colonias in KenyaAlgeria

Resistance Movements: FLN (National Liberation Front)

Battle of Algeriers Terrorist tactics

ALN (National Liberation Army) Guerrilla warfare

Battle of Algiers

World System’s Theory

Algeria vs. Kenya: World System’s Theory

Both semi-periphery Sub-imperial Kenya

Capitalist regimes in Africa Dependent development to integrate into the world

economy Algeria dependent development on Britain

Springhall

Metropolitan Nationalist Internationalist

Explanations for decolonization in Africa

Algeria Kenya

Nationalist Decolonization in Algeria was a result of nationalist Resistance Movements:-FLN-ALN

Decolonization was achieved through Mau Mau revolt, in which was accomplished by Kenyans population National movements.

Metropolitan World War I - Forced colonizers to fight World War II -Government moved to Algeria

WWI-Kenya was military base for Britain-British negotiated with Jomo Kenyatta to make Kenya one of the most stable countries, also establishing close relationship.

Internationalist Cold War USA did not support French power over Algeria, was focusing in USSR spread of Communism

Due to the context of the Cold War made difficult for British maintain its colonies since the main objective was to avoid the spread of communism, and not preserve an empires.

Algeria KenyaGayatri Spivak: “The subaltern has no voice”.

PROVED WORGThe subaltern has voiceNationalist movements successful Non-Aligned

PROVED WRONGThe subaltern has voiceRise above British colonizers

Benedict Anderson: “Imagined communities” – Nationalism based on language

PROVED WRONG Based on religion FNL in AlgeriaBattle of Algiers (1956-1957) -

PROVED WRONGBased on ethic lines/ tribes- Kiyuku

Fanon: “Nationalism is a paradoxical to liberation”.

Supported Algerian violence-FNL

Mau Mau Revolt – Kiyuku population started-British government was successful in the conflict

Elie Kedourie:“Nationalism was essentially a European phenomenon, carried around the world by colonial circumstances

PROVED RIGHTNationalism was propagate in Algeria due to French influences

PROVED RIGHTNationalism was a result of western influences in Kenya - British

A.G Hopkins: “Decolonization must be understood broadly as a process of globalization”.

PROVED RIGHTThe conjecture of events of WWI,WWII, Cold War, and the creation of UN – led to parallel national movements in Algeria that led to decolonization.

PROVED RIGHTThe conjecture of events of WWI,WWII, Cold War, and the creation of UN – led to parallel national movements in Kenya that led to decolonization.

Post Colonialism: Algeria and Kenya

 Algeria Boumédienne assumed power Authoritarian government Non-Aligned

Kenya Jomo Kenyatta → Prime

Minister Totalitarian leader