πŸ“˜ CodingMarble Learn

The Middle East and Africa After 1945

In 1945 most of Africa and parts of the Middle East were ruled from outside. Decolonisation changed this: Ghana (1957), 17 states in 1960, then the rest. Middle East oil gave the region new power from 1960 (OPEC) and the oil shock of 1973. The region also saw wars and revolutions, such as the dispute over Israel and Palestine (1948 onward) and Iran's revolution (1979). In South Africa apartheid ended with Mandela's release (1990) and the 1994 election.

🎬 Step-by-step story

  1. 1945. Most lands are ruled from outside. Grey blocks with dark poles mean a foreign flag. Only about four African states are independent.
  2. The poles fall one by one. Ghana in 1957, 17 states in 1960, Algeria in 1962, Angola in 1975. The blocks turn green.
  3. Oil. In 1960 oil-selling countries form OPEC. In 1973 they raise the price and the bars shoot up. Oil lands gain wealth and power.
  4. A timeline of change in the Middle East: Israel founded in 1948, Suez 1956, wars in 1967 and 1973, 1979 revolution and peace treaty, Arab Spring in 2011.
  5. South Africa. Apartheid laws kept people apart (the wall). Mandela was freed in 1990, and in 1994 everyone voted. The wall comes down.
  6. Your turn. Slide the year from 1945 to 2011. Watch the green blocks show how many African states are free.

Tip: drag the 3D scene to turn it. Use two fingers to zoom.

πŸ€” Common doubts, cleared

Why were so few African states independent in 1945?

European powers had divided and ruled most of Africa since the late 1800s and kept control through colonial governments.

Why did so many states become free around 1960?

The colonial powers were weaker after the war, local movements were strong, and each new independence encouraged the next.

Why does oil matter so much?

Factories, cars and trucks run on it. When the oil price changes, costs change in almost every country.

Why are the Middle East's conflicts so hard to solve?

They mix land claims, religion, oil, outside powers and local politics. Different groups tell different histories of the same events.

Was apartheid ended by one person?

No. Millions of protesters, workers, the ANC, other countries' sanctions and leaders on both sides all played a part.

Decolonisation: how colonies became free

In 1945, only about four African states were independent (Egypt, Ethiopia, Liberia and South Africa). The rest was ruled by European powers as colonies. After the Second World War the colonial powers were weaker, new ideas of self-rule were strong, and local movements grew. Libya (1951), then Sudan, Morocco, Tunisia (1956) and Ghana (1957) became independent. In 1960, the "Year of Africa", 17 states became free. Some paths were peaceful (Ghana, through protest and talks). Others needed long wars: Algeria (independent 1962), Angola and Mozambique (1975). Zimbabwe followed in 1980 and Namibia in 1990. Today Africa has 54 states.

Oil and the power of the Gulf

Much of the world's oil lies under the Gulf lands. Foreign companies once controlled it. In 1960 five oil-selling countries formed OPEC to win better prices and more control. In 1973–74, during a war involving Israel and Arab states, OPEC members cut supply and the price roughly quadrupled. Oil-importing countries in Europe, the USA, Japan and India suffered a shock; oil exporters gained huge income and political weight. Many invested in cities, roads, schools and jobs, but some economies depend too much on oil.

Conflict and change in the Middle East

South Africa: the end of apartheid

After 1948 South Africa's white-minority government used apartheid laws to separate people by race: where they could live, work and go to school. The black majority had no vote. Protests, strikes, the African National Congress, and sanctions from other countries pushed for change. Nelson Mandela was freed in 1990 after 27 years in prison, talks followed, and in April 1994 all adults voted in the first election for all races. Mandela became president.

Key formulas and definitions

Worked examples

1. Why did so many African countries become independent around 1960?

European powers had been weakened by the Second World War; local leaders and movements had grown strong; the USA and USSR did not support old empires; and after Ghana's example in 1957 other peoples demanded the same.

2. Why did the 1973 oil price jump hurt Europe and Japan but help the Gulf countries?

Europe and Japan import most of their oil, so higher prices raised costs and slowed growth. Gulf countries sell oil, so their income rose sharply.

3. List three steps that led to the end of apartheid.

Protests and strikes inside South Africa; sanctions and pressure from other countries; Mandela's release in 1990 followed by talks, and the 1994 election for all races.

Common mistakes

Practice quiz

1. Which was the first state south of the Sahara to gain independence from colonial rule?
2. How many African states became independent in 1960?
3. OPEC was founded in:
4. Apartheid was a system of:
5. The first election in which all South Africans voted was in:

Practice: answer these yourself

Type or choose your answer, then press Check. Use a hint if you are stuck; the full solution appears after you answer.

Frequently asked questions

What is decolonisation?

The process, mostly from the 1940s to the 1970s, in which colonies became independent states.

Why was the 1973 oil shock important?

It showed that oil-selling countries could change world prices, slowed the economies of many importers and increased the wealth and weight of Gulf states.

Who was Nelson Mandela?

A South African leader who spent 27 years in prison for opposing apartheid. He was freed in 1990 and became president after the 1994 election.

Learn first

Learn next

Related lessons

All History lessons