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Period: 600 BCE to 200 BCE
African Migration
Early humans migrated across the African continent and beyond, shaping human evolution and culture. -
1324
Mansa Musa's pilgrimage
Mansa Musa's pilgrimage put the wealth and power of the Malian Empire on the world map. European maps began to depict Mali, and scholars became aware of its importance. Upon his return, Mansa Musa used his wealth to fund grand architectural projects throughout Mali.
This pilgrimage was a powerful demonstration of his piety, his leadership, and the immense wealth of the Malian Empire. It helped to solidify Mali's position as a major power in the medieval world. -
Period: to
The conquest of Algeria by France
In 1827, a dispute erupted between Hussein Dey, the ruler of the Regency of Algiers, and the French consul.
In response, the July Monarchy of France invaded and swiftly seized Algiers in 1830. Subsequently, they extended their control to other coastal regions.
France captured Algiers, marking the beginning of the conquest.The French ultimately achieved victory and pacified the region.
This event marked the beginning of French colonialism in North Africa -
The Jameson Raid
It was a botched raid orchestrated by British colonial administrator Leander Starr Jameson, acting under the employment of Cecil Rhodes.
The target was the South African Republic, commonly referred to as the Transvaal.The raid aimed to trigger an uprising by primarily British expatriate workers (known as Uitlanders) in the Transvaal.
These workers were expected to recruit an army and prepare for an insurrection.
However, the raid failed, and no uprising occurred. -
Indipendence movements
African nations fought for independence from colonial powers. Key figures like Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana), Jomo Kenyatta (Kenya), and Nelson Mandela (South Africa) led these movements.
Mandela's growing influence and activism led to his arrest in 1962 and subsequent imprisonment on Robben Island for 27 years.
Mandela became a global symbol of resistance against apartheid. His unwavering spirit and commitment to freedom inspired millions of South Africans and international anti-apartheid movements -
Tangiers Crisis
Diplomatic tensions between France and Germany over Morocco. It revealed the power struggles among European colonial powers in Africa.
On March 31, 1905, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany landed dramatically in Tangier, Morocco.
The Kaiser's actions angered France and Britain, who had recently formed the Entente Cordiale (a friendly agreement).
To avoid war, an international conference was held in Algeciras, Spain, in 1906.
The crisis solidified the Anglo-French Entente. -
The Suez Crisis
Egypt, led by Gamal Abdel Nasser, nationalized the Suez Canal Company on July 26, 1956.
Britain and France, angered by the nationalization, conspired with Israel to launch a surprise attack on Egypt in October 1956.
Their goal was to regain control of the canal. Egypt’s nationalization of the Suez Canal triggered a crisis involving Britain, France, and Israel. The Suez Crisis also played a role in the creation of the Eisenhower Doctrine
The event highlighted post-colonial tensions. -
Extension of University Education Act
In South Africa, this act restricted access to higher education based on race. It decreed that “white” universities would be closed to Black students.Additionally, universities open to Black students were segregated by ethnicity.
Widespread protests erupted against this discriminatory act.
The United Party (a minority party under apartheid) protested in Parliament.
Non-white students issued statements and marched against the act.
International condemnation followed. -
The student uprising in Soweto
On June 16, 1976, thousands of South African students took to the streets of Soweto to protest white-minority rule. This pivotal event, known as the Soweto Uprising, profoundly changed the country’s social and political landscape.
The students were demonstrating against the government’s plans to impose the Afrikaans language as a medium of instruction in schools for Black students.
Unfortunately, the police response was brutal, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of students -
Period: to
The second Congo War
A devastating conflict in Central Africa involving multiple nations, rebel groups, and militias. It resulted in immense loss of life and displacement. The war became a complex web of alliances and conflicts, with devastating consequences for the Congolese people.
Millions died from violence, disease, and malnutrition. The war also caused widespread displacement and a breakdown of infrastructure. The Democratic Republic of Congo continues to deal with the war's legacy of instability and violence