The Cambridge History of Africa

This seventh volume in The Cambridge History of Africa examines the period 1905–40 in African history.

A. D. Roberts (Edited by)

9780521225052, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 24 July 1986

1086 pages, 29 maps 5 tables
30.2 x 18.2 x 7.1 cm, 1.47 kg

"Thus C.C. Wrigley provides a thoughtful and challenging analysis of the economic aspects in chapter 2, and the two major religions. Christianity and Islam are similarly presented in chapters 3 and 4 by Richard Gray and C.C. Stewart respectively. Most praise, however, goes to Andrew Roberts, who has not only provided skilful editorship, but two general chapters which cannot have been easy to write, since few historians are given to making worthwhile generalisations ranging over a whole continent. But he has been bold enough to take on the task, and has produced in chapter 1, on the Imperial mind, a caustic but judicious assessment of the impact of imperialism in Africa and in chapter 5, on African cross-currents, a splendid overview of African reactions." Freda Harcourt, HISTORY, June 1989.

By 1905 most of Africa had been subjected to European rule; in the 1940s, the colonial regimes faced widespread and mounting opposition. Yet the period surveyed in this volume was no mere interlude of enforced quiescence. The cash nexus expanded hugely, as Africans came to depend for access to household necessities upon the export overseas of primary products. The impact of white rule on African health and welfare was extremely uneven, and African lives were stunted by the labour requirements of capitalist enterprise. Many Africans suffered greatly in the First World War and in the world depression of the 1930s. By 1940 a majority of Africans were either Muslim or Christian. Literate Africans developed new solidarities: tribal, territorial, regional and Pan-African. Meanwhile, the colonial powers were themselves improving their understanding of Africa and trying to frame policies accordingly. Co-operation with indigenous rulers often seemed the best way to retain control at minimum cost, but the search for revenue entailed disruptive economic change.

Introduction Andrew Roberts
1. The imperial mind Andrew Roberts
2. Aspects of economic history C. C. Wrigley
3. Christianity Richard Gray
4. Islam C. C. Stewart
5. African cross-currents Andrew Roberts
6. The Maghrib Michael Brett
7. French black Africa Catherine Coquery-Vidrovitch, Madagascar J. Fremigacci
8. British West Africa and Liberia D. C. Dorward
9. Belgian Africa B. Jewsiewicki
10. Portuguese and Spanish Africa, Portuguese Africa Andrew Roberts, Spanish Equatorial Guinea W. G. Clarence-Smith
11. Southern Africa A. P. Walshe, and Andrew Roberts
12. British Central Africa John McCracken
13. East Africa Andrew Roberts
14. Ethiopia and the Horn Richard Caulk
15. Egypt and the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan Egypt M. W. Daly, the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan G. N. Sanderson
Bibliographical essays
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], African history [HBJH]