Martin Meredith

The Fate of Africa

1. IDEA 1

   Independence brought great hope

   Meredith describes the excitement as African countries gained independence from colonial rule in the 1950s and 1960s. Leaders promised development, democracy and dignity, and many people believed a better future had arrived.

2. IDEA 2

   Nkrumah led the way

   Meredith describes Kwame Nkrumah, who led Ghana to independence in 1957 and became a symbol of African freedom. His rule later became authoritarian. Many other African countries soon followed Ghana's path to independence in the years afterwards.

3. IDEA 3

   The Congo fell into crisis

   Meredith describes the chaos in the Congo after independence, including the murder of Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. Foreign powers interfered in the crisis. Meredith shows that the new country was left weak and divided just when it needed stability most.

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