Colonialism in Africa: an outline of "African Perspectives on Colonialism"

History of the Global Now
Colonialism in Africa: an outline of "African Perspectives on Colonialism"
Terese Howard
10/23/09

Here is an outline of the first half of African Perspectives on Colonialism by A. Adu Boahen.

The Eve of Colonial Conquest and Occupation
- End of the slave trade by 1880, changes in European society that lead to its end, African people no longer the object of trade
- Speedy shift from slave based economy to natural resources (eg. Ivory, gum, cloves, beeswax, honey, coffee, peanuts, cotton, and above all rubber (4)), some modernization, beginnings of rural capitalism, increased trade routes with Africa
- States were sovereign with independent political leaders and systems, other people groups in independent functioning societies, more political unification then before

The Imposition of the Colonial System
Reasons for colonization
- Economic benefits for colonizing countries through use of resources, labor, and settler work force
-Political rivalries between European countries, unification of Germany, effort for balance of power, nationalism
Stages of colonial implementation
- Treaty between European imperial power and African ruler (offered trade and friendship in exchange for territory, often misunderstood by Africans)
- Treaty between imperial powers (making clear and agreed upon who had what land)
-Conquest/occupation (Military overthrow of any political powers, or other resistance to colonial control)
Methods of African resistance
- Alliance (allying with the colonists rival countries, or attempting compromise alliance with the colonist county itself)
- Confrontation (diplomacy or violent armed confrontation)

Boahen, A. Adu. African Perspectives on Colonialism John Hopkins University Press: Baltimore, 1987.