Decolonization is the undoing of colonialism, giving native peoples their independence and rights to form their own governments. Post WWII Africa created ideal conditions for widespread decolonization for three main reasons. First European nations had to keep their financial resources for rebuilding, not colonial maintenance. Second, the Atlantic Charter gave hope to independence movements. Lastly, European nations had a hard time explaining fighting WWII in the name of liberty, while still oppressing people in their colonies. Many African nations were decolonized largely from 1945-1975. In the year 1960, major events led to the emergence of 17 independent African nations and became known as the Year of Africa. Pan-Africanism is the belief that Africa and all people of African descent should be united and their heritage celebrated. Nelson Mandela was an anti-apartheid revolutionary who was imprisoned for 27 years for his beliefs. He was the first democratically elected black president in South Africa, serving from 1994-1999.