Independence has been a struggle in the African continent since the first days of colonization. Africa has been territorialized since the days of Jesus, but was not heavily colonized until the Scramble for Africa. The Scramble, which took place during the late 1800s, involved several European countries undertaking a mass, rapid colonization of Africa. Some argued that colonization brought the benefits of Western life to a struggling continent. However, the benefits could only be seen in limited areas, and colonization overall reduced the freedom of many Africans both culturally and humanely. Africa has come a long way since then. Many countries have gained their independence from the European countries they were once colonized by.
[...] The rebellion lasted for eight years, pitting the Kenya Land Freedom Army, or the Mau Mau Rebels, in violent guerilla and urban warfare against the British colonial government. Ultimately, the British brought in enough troops to easily outnumber and suppress the rebellion. However, the combined pressure of costly violence and the independence of other African nations caused Great Britain to grant independence to Kenya. On December Kenya officially became independent. Since becoming independent, Kenya has most importantly developed its own government system. [...]
[...] South Africa also has built one of the world's top stock markets. Their government is headed by a parliament which includes an organized legislative, judicial, and executive system. Also, since Apartheid, political rights became equalized among the entire population. However, South Africa has developed its fair share of problems. The AIDS epidemic is one of the biggest problems. In percent of the population aged 15-49 was afflicted with HIV (South Africa Data Profile). Also, crime in South Africa is some of the worst in the world. [...]
[...] Kenya is another African country with a detailed history of colonization and independence. The first hints of colonization began in 1498 when Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama began exploring the land today known as Kenya. Portuguese exploration continued until 1505, in which it became aggressive. The coastal trade city of Mombasa was of interest to the Portuguese both economically and strategically. The Arabs and Swahili of Mombasa both offered resistance, but their weaponry was inferior to that of the Portuguese. [...]
[...] The oppression and dominance of indigenous people in South Africa was also considerably more severe than that in Kenya. When independence was granted to South Africa, a large white population had already settled in and had already begun implementing their policies. Independence therefore did not seem to bring much chance in a civil rights sense, as indicated by the many years of Apartheid. In fact, today, the indigenous people of South Africa are mostly unheard of and are almost quietly shooed aside. [...]
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