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”