Is there something peculiar about Africa that delayed its drive for independence? (Begin with a specific African country, and argue your case.)
That's your assignment.
What's your question about your assignment?
PS. If you haven't read any of Chinua Achebe's books, you should do so. The first one to read is Things Fall Apart. Then there are others, but not in an actual series.
Achebe wrote fiction, but clearly based on reality. If the only one you read is the one named above, you will understand.
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxtaWxzdGVkZ3Ntc3R8Z3g6MWQzNjkyNWY3ZTA0ZmE2ZA
That's a question I've never encountered before (not that I have studied the African independence movements in any depth). I question the premise that they were late in seeking independence, though. While colonies in the Americas sought and won independence earlier, African and Asian colonies won independence, largely, in the 20th century, after World War I. India did not gain independence until 1946, for example. One thing you might want to explore, if possible, is the fact that Africans had been organized on a tribal basis, not as cohesive colonies or nation states. The various tribes did not get along with each other, so to find enough unity to form a nation-state may have taken longer (and, in some places remains tenuous to this day). A Bing search comes up with little on the topic (another search on other search engines such as Google might yield different results), but might lead to other references.
Keep in mind that the boundaries of many nations were established by international agreements with little or no consultation with local people. The European colonizers, more or less, divided up the continent of Africa according to their own interests and the boundaries did not take into account the local self-identities of the people affected. So, even after independence we have seen many civil wars in the former colonies, most recently in Rwanda, Congo, and Mali (among others over the years) as the various tribes and local groups seek influence and dominance.
http://www.bing.com/search?q=Why+were+African+colonies+late+to+seek+independence%3F&FORM=EDGNCT
One specific African country that experienced a peculiar delay in its drive for independence is Angola. This delay can be attributed to a combination of historical, political, and economic factors.
Firstly, Angola's complex colonial history played a significant role. The country was colonized by Portugal in the 16th century and remained under Portuguese rule for over four centuries. The Portuguese authorities implemented a policy known as assimilation, which aimed to integrate the Angolan population into Portuguese culture and society. This led to the creation of a small class of Angolan elites who benefited from Portuguese rule, while the majority of the population faced severe oppression and economic exploitation.
Secondly, the political landscape in Angola also contributed to the delayed drive for independence. The emergence of nationalist movements in the mid-20th century, such as the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA), and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), intensified the struggle for independence. However, these liberation movements were divided along ideological, political, and ethnic lines, leading to internal conflicts that prolonged the struggle against Portuguese colonial rule.
Furthermore, Angola's economy played a significant role in delaying independence. The country's rich natural resources, particularly its oil and diamonds, made it an attractive target for foreign powers. This led to the involvement of international players and increased geopolitical interests, further complicating the path to independence. The presence of multinational companies and foreign governments seeking to exploit Angola's resources exacerbated the struggle for independence, as these external actors supported factions that aligned with their own interests.
In conclusion, Angola's delayed drive for independence can be attributed to a combination of historical, political, and economic factors. The country's colonial past, internal conflicts, and international interests all played a role in prolonging the struggle against Portuguese rule. Understanding these factors is crucial to comprehending the unique challenges faced by Angola and other African nations in their pursuit of independence.