ABSTRACT

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 1|43 pages

Under Foreign Flags: 1914–1930

chapter 1|8 pages

The Early Years of the Twentieth Century

chapter 2|11 pages

Colonial Africa: to 1930

chapter 3|9 pages

African Responses: to 1930

chapter 4|13 pages

Key Ideas for Progress

part 2|49 pages

Colonialism under Strain: 1930–1945

chapter 5|14 pages

Colonial Systems and the Great Depression

chapter 6|8 pages

The Second World War, 1939–1945

chapter 7|11 pages

Towards Modern Politics

chapter 8|14 pages

Colonialism in Crisis

part 3|83 pages

The Nationalists Win Through

chapter 9|12 pages

The Conditions of Decolonisation

chapter 10|6 pages

Raising National Flags: North-East Africa

chapter 11|6 pages

Libya and the Maghrib

chapter 12|11 pages

South of the Sahara: French Colonies

chapter 13|9 pages

British West Africa

chapter 16|16 pages

The 1980s: Unfinished Business

part 4|100 pages

New Freedoms: Progress and Problems

chapter 17|15 pages

History Begins Anew

chapter 18|22 pages

Questions about National Stability

chapter 19|28 pages

Questions about Development

chapter 20|14 pages

Questions about Unity