Basil Davidson's famous book -- now updated in a welcome Third Edition -- reviews the social and political history of Africa in the twentieth century. It takes the reader from the colonial era through the liberation movements to independence and beyond. It faces squarely the disappointments and breakdowns that have dulled the early successes of the post-colonial era; yet, for all the sorrows and uncertainties of Africa today, Basil Davidson shows how much has been achieved since decolonization, and the mood of his new final chapter is hopeful and buoyant.
PART ONE: UNDER FOREIGN FLAGS 1914-1930. 1. The Early Years of the Twentieth Century. 2. Colonial Africa: to 1930. 3. African Responses: to 1930. 4. Key Ideas for Progress. PART TWO: COLONIALISM UNDER STRAIN 1930-1945. 5. Colonial Systems and the Great Depression. 6. The Second World War 1939-1945. 7. Towards Modern Politics. 8. Colonialism in Crisis. PART THREE: THE NATIONALISTS WIN THROUGH. 9. The Conditions of Decolonization. 10. Raising National Flags: North-East Africa. 11. Libya and the Maghrib. 12. South of the Sahara: French Colonies. 13. British West Africa. 14. East and Central Africa: British Settler Colonies. 15. In Other Empires: Belgian, Portuguese, Spanish. 16. The 1980s: Unfinished Business. PART FOUR: NEW FREEDOMS:PROGRESS AND PROBLEMS. 17. History Begins Anew. 18. Questions About National Stability. 19. Questions About Development. 20. Questions About Unity. 21. Towards Africa Reconstruction: Summary and Overview. Index.
