The second edition of A History of Sub-Saharan Africa continues to provide an accessible introduction to the continent's history for students and general readers. The authors employ a thematic approach to their subject, focusing on how the environment has shaped the societies and cultures of the African peoples. The text demonstrates how the geography, climate and geology of Africa influenced the rise of states and empires, the emergence of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the European conquest and the creation of independent African nations. Yet the book maintains a focus on the peoples whose creative energies built unique communities and traditions within the challenging context of the Africa landmass. In the process of reconstructing this continent's rich history, the authors analyze the contentious scholarly debates that have emerged from this field. The book is illustrated with photographs, maps and sidebars that feature the salient points on either side of the debates.
• Provides an accessible introduction to the continent's history for students and general readers • Explains many crucial aspects of world history (Pharaonic Egypt, the trans-Atlantic slave trade, colonialism) from an African perspective • The authors analyze the contentious scholarly debates that have emerged out of this field
Contents
1. The historical geography of Africa; 2. Kingdoms on the Nile; 3. The peoples of sub-Saharan Africa: society, culture, language; 4. Crops, cows, and iron; 5. Northeast Africa in the age of Aksum; 6. Empires of the plains; 7. East Africa and the Indian Ocean world; 8. The Lake Plateau of East Africa; 9. Societies and states of the West African forest; 10. Kingdoms and trade in Central Africa; 11. The peoples and states of southern Africa; 12. Africa in world history; 13. Diseases and crops: old and new; 14. Slavery in Africa; 15. The Atlantic slave trade; 16. The Asian slave trade; 17. Imperial Africa; 18. The European conquest of Africa; 19. Southern Africa, 1486–1910; 20. European colonial rule in Africa; 21. The colonial legacy; 22. Independent Africa; 23. The Union of South Africa and the apartheid state; 24. A decade of hope; 25. Cold War Africa; 26. Africa at the beginning of the twenty-first century.
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