A History of West Central Africa to 1850

An accessible interpretative history of West Central Africa from earliest times to 1852 with comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the region.

John K. Thornton (Author)

9781107565937, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 March 2020

382 pages, 7 maps
22.7 x 15.2 x 2.1 cm, 0.56 kg

'Highly recommended.' R. I. Rotberg, Choice

Based on substantial new research from primary sources and archives, this accessible interpretative history of West Central Africa from earliest times to 1852 gives comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the region. With equal focus given to both internal histories or inter-state interactions and external dynamics and relationships, this study represents an original approach to regional histories which goes beyond the existing scholarship on the area. By contextualising and expanding its range, to include treatment of the Portuguese colony of Angola, John K. Thornton provides new understandings of significant events, people, and inter-regional interactions which aid the grounding of the history of West Central Africa within a broader context. A valuable resource to students and scholars of African history.

Preface
Introduction
1. The Development of States in West Central African to 1540
2. The Struggle for Ambundu and the Founding of Angola
3. Ndongo and Portugal at War
4. Queen Njinga's Struggle for Ndongo
5. The Thirty Years' War Comes to Central Africa
6. The Emergence of Lunda
7. The Weight of Lunda on the West
8. Culmination: Lunda, Luba and the Ovimbundu
Epilog

Subject Areas: Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], African history [HBJH]