Africa faced many economic and social struggles after gaining independence from European colonial rule. The economies of most African nations specialized in farming and mining raw materials but lacked industry and infrastructure, leaving them vulnerable to global price fluctuations. This posed economic challenges as 75% of the population worked in agriculture but populations grew. Social issues included improving education, as children often worked and schools were overcrowded, and healthcare like increasing life expectancy. Environmental problems also emerged such as desertification, deforestation, and threats to food security. African governments and scientists worked to address these issues through diversifying economies, developing new crops, and expanding education and healthcare.

1. Lesson 5
Bellringer: What struggles did Africa
face after gaining independence?

2. Independence
• When will you have independence?
• What will you get when you gain
independence?
• Turn to page 53

3. Issues for Africa Today
• Europe saw Africa as a source for raw
materials (similar to the United States)
– Did not build up any industry or infrastructure
– Still agrarian

4. African Economy
• Economy consists of farming and mining
– Farming is the most important activity in Africa
– 75% of workers are farmers
• Subsistence and commercial
– Many African nations have rich mineral resources
• Oil, copper, diamonds, gold

5. Economic Challenges
• 75% of African countries have specialized
economies
• Sensitive to the rise and fall of prices of their
particular goods
• Trying to diversify

6. Problem
• How to feed a growing population?
– Government is trying to help
– Hybrid plants: combining different types of the
same plant

7. Social Issues
• Education
– African children are often needed at home to
work
– Sending children to school is a huge sacrifice
– Schools are overcrowded
– Literacy has been spreading since most countries have gained
their independence
• Health
– Health: Lower life expectancy than in America
– Insects in the tropical areas carry disease
– Working on increased vaccination

8. The Environment
• 2/3 of continent is desert and more is
becoming dry, arid land
• Deforestation and the loss of fertile soil
• Threats of starvation because few crops can
grow
• New scientific technologies are developing to
help this problem

9. Interview Questions
• Mollie
– Worked as a teacher
• Uganda
– East Africa
– Had a dictator

10. Exit Card
– EXIT CARD (2 questions)- use book and notes
– Why are African nations trying to diversify their
economies?
– List two challenges African countries face.

11. Activity
– Activity on page 58 Recognizing Bias
– Go through readings
– Complete “Apply the Skill”