In what context should 1960 as the Year of Africa be understood?

Correct answer: A major wave of independence of many African countries

Direct answer: Option A. The phrase Year of Africa refers to 1960, when a large number of African countries gained independence, especially from European colonial powers. The reasoning is historical: anti-colonial movements had grown after the Second World War; negotiations and struggles led to many new states; the concentration of independence events in 1960 made the year a landmark in decolonization. Option A is correct. Option B is the opposite of the historical meaning: 1960 represented the breakdown of colonial rule, not the beginning of complete colonization. Option C is wrong because the United Nations did not end in 1960. Option D is unrelated; South America’s exploration is a different historical subject. Exam cue: 1960 means a major wave of African independence, although not every African country became independent that exact year.