African Independence highlights the important role Africa has played in recent history and the significant role it will continue to play in the future of America and the globe. In a world where much of the power and wealth remains concentrated in the hands of a very few people, this book looks at how the history of African independence has touched all people—from refugees to heads of state. Author Tukufu Zuberi weaves exclusive interview excerpts and stories from many Africans he has met with old newsreels, current news and reports, and research into a larger narrative that takes readers through key events in African history and shows their importance today. The book provides context for understanding connections between events in Africa and the world, such as Nigeria’s Boko Haram acts of war against the citizens of Nigeria and neighboring states, China’s rise as the main superpower with the largest financial connections to the African continent, and the so-called war against terrorism. Zuberi is also the director of the documentary African Independence, which has won awards including Best Director and Best Documentary at the San Diego Black Film Festival, Best Director at The People’s Film Festival, Best African Film at the San Diego Black Film Festival, and more. Both alone and together, the book and film offer a deeper understanding of Africa’s central role in world affairs.
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African Independence: How Africa Shapes the World
African Independence highlights the important role Africa has played in recent history and the significant role it will continue to play in the future of America and the globe. In a world where much of the power and wealth remains concentrated in the hands of a very few people, this book looks at how the history of African independence has touched all people—from refugees to heads of state. Author Tukufu Zuberi weaves exclusive interview excerpts and stories from many Africans he has met with old newsreels, current news and reports, and research into a larger narrative that takes readers through key events in African history and shows their importance today. The book provides context for understanding connections between events in Africa and the world, such as Nigeria’s Boko Haram acts of war against the citizens of Nigeria and neighboring states, China’s rise as the main superpower with the largest financial connections to the African continent, and the so-called war against terrorism. Zuberi is also the director of the documentary African Independence, which has won awards including Best Director and Best Documentary at the San Diego Black Film Festival, Best Director at The People’s Film Festival, Best African Film at the San Diego Black Film Festival, and more. Both alone and together, the book and film offer a deeper understanding of Africa’s central role in world affairs.
African Independence highlights the important role Africa has played in recent history and the significant role it will continue to play in the future of America and the globe. In a world where much of the power and wealth remains concentrated in the hands of a very few people, this book looks at how the history of African independence has touched all people—from refugees to heads of state. Author Tukufu Zuberi weaves exclusive interview excerpts and stories from many Africans he has met with old newsreels, current news and reports, and research into a larger narrative that takes readers through key events in African history and shows their importance today. The book provides context for understanding connections between events in Africa and the world, such as Nigeria’s Boko Haram acts of war against the citizens of Nigeria and neighboring states, China’s rise as the main superpower with the largest financial connections to the African continent, and the so-called war against terrorism. Zuberi is also the director of the documentary African Independence, which has won awards including Best Director and Best Documentary at the San Diego Black Film Festival, Best Director at The People’s Film Festival, Best African Film at the San Diego Black Film Festival, and more. Both alone and together, the book and film offer a deeper understanding of Africa’s central role in world affairs.
Tukufu Zuberi is the Lasry Family Professor of Race Relations and professor of sociology and Africana studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He writes and speaks widely about race, both in the United States and internationally. He is a host on the hit PBS series History Detectives and has been interviewed on NPR and other media all over the world.
Table of Contents
Map of Pre-Colonial Africa, before 1600Map of Colonial Africa, 1914Map of Pre-Independence Africa, 1950Map of Independent in Africa, 1994Selected Chronology of EventsAcknowledgmentsIntroductionWhy I wrote this Book and Made a FilmMy Point of ViewHow I Tell the StoryChapter 1—From Colonialism to Pan Africanism: The Impact of World War II on AfricaFascist War on EthiopiaNorth Africa CampaignAfrican Contributions to the War EffortAfrican Post-War Response to ColonialismAfrican Post-War Uprisings5th Pan-African CongressChapter 2—The End of Colonial Rule: Beginnings of IndependenceThe Movement MaterializesPolitical Independence in GhanaThe Spread of the MovementPower of the GunChapter 3—Africa in the Cold War: Repression and LiberationThe Cold WarAfrican Decolonization and RepressionPatrice Lumumba’s CongoSouthern AfricaCoup After CoupAfrican Power in the Cold WarApartheid Chapter 4—April 1994 and Beyond: African Independence TodayThe Post-Independence Map of AfricaApril 1994Post-Independence UnityTraditional Ethnic ConflictHypocrisy, Terror, AID, and CrimeExtending African Independence