African Experience, The: An Introduction

by Khapoya, Vincent B.

• ISBN13: 9780137458523
• ISBN10: 0137458525
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-01-01
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Summary

This book provides an introduction to Africa -- covering its physical attributes, history, social structure, and culture. It emphasizesnorms, values, and historical experience as the key variables that define who the people are, rather than labeling them as "tribes." Describesthe main traditional cultural forms and institutions found in Africa. Explores thegeography anddemography of the African continent. Takes a critical look athow the Africans have done since they inherited or recovered political power from the European colonial masters -- the problems they have encountered, the forces that have influenced leaders in their choice of strategies in nation-building or economic development, political and economic reforms.

Table of Contents

PREFACE	xiii
CHAPTER 1 AFRICA: THE CONTINENT AND ITS PEOPLE	1	(26)
Introduction	1	(1)
Geography	2	(6)
Demography	8	(5)
Language and Culture	13	(13)
Notes	26	(1)
CHAPTER 2 AFRICAN TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS	27	(41)
Introduction	27	(3)
Kinship	30	(4)
Forms of Marriage	34	(6)
Non-Kinship Groups	40	(4)
The Individual in African Societies	44	(6)
Family Life and Socialization	50	(3)
Family Life	50	(1)
Socialization	51	(2)
Traditional Religious Beliefs	53	(6)
Belief in God	55	(3)
Belief in Spirits	58	(1)
Belief in Ancestors	58	(1)
Religion as a Way of Life	59	(1)
Politics and Government in Traditional Africa	60	(5)
Segmental Systems	61	(3)
Hierarchical Systems	64	(1)
Pyramidal Systems	64	(1)
Notes	65	(3)
CHAPTER 3 POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HISTORIC AFRICA	68	(43)
Introduction	68	(3)
Prehistoric Africa	71	(4)
Ancient Africa	75	(6)
The Kingdoms of Egypt	75	(5)
Other Ancient African Civilizations	80	(1)
Medieval Africa	81	(11)
Early Modern Africa	92	(2)
Nineteenth-Century Africa	94	(14)
North Africa (c. 1800-1900)	96	(1)
The African Sudan (c. 1800-1900)	97	(2)
West Africa (c. 1800-1900)	99	(5)
East Africa (c. 1800-1900)	104	(4)
Conclusions	108	(2)
Notes	110	(1)
CHAPTER 4 COLONIALISM AND THE AFRICAN EXPERIENCE	111	(37)
Introduction	111	(1)
Reasons for Europe's Interest in Africa	112	(3)
Imperialism in Africa: The Rationale	115	(3)
Race and European Colonizers: "The Civilizing Mission"	118	(8)
The British Mission	119	(1)
The French Missions	120	(1)
The French and the British Contrasted: Senghor and Khama	121	(2)
The Portuguese Mission	123	(2)
Faron's Theory of French Racism	125	(1)
Colonial Administration Styles	126	(8)
Indirect Rule	127	(1)
Direct Rule	128	(3)
Company Rule	131	(1)
Indirect Company Rule	132	(2)
The Economies of Colonialism	134	(9)
Expropriation of Land	135	(1)
Exploitation of Labor	136	(1)
Hut and Poll Tax	137	(1)
Labor Conscription	138	(2)
Cash Crops and One-Crop Economies	140	(1)
Prohibition of Inter African Trade and Communications	141	(1)
Immigrant Labor	141	(2)
Lack of Industrialization	143	(1)
Colonial Rule: Who Benefited?	143	(3)
Notes	146	(2)
CHAPTER 5 AFRICAN NATIONALISM AND THE STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM	148	(29)
Introduction	148	(2)
Modern African Nationalism	150	(19)
Colonial Oppression	151	(1)
Missionary Churches	151	(7)
World Wars I and II	158	(2)
Pan-Africanism	160	(6)
The League of Nations and the United Nations	166	(3)
Independence Movements	169	(6)
Conclusions	175	(1)
Notes	176	(1)
CHAPTER 6 AFRICAN INDEPENDENCE AND AFTER	177	(43)
Introduction	177	(1)
Decolonization and the Transfer of Power	178	(5)
Centralization of Power	178	(1)
Regionalism and Separation	179	(3)
Decolonization in French Colonies	182	(1)
Problems at Independence	183	(5)
Popular Expectations	184	(1)
Economic Development	185	(2)
Territorial and Ethnic Divisions	187	(1)
Political Instability	188	(3)
Policy Choices after Independence	191	(17)
One-Party Systems	191	(4)
African Socialism	195	(2)
Tanzania	197	(4)
Ghana	201	(2)
Guinea	203	(1)
Senegal	204	(1)
African Capitalism	205	(3)
What Went Wrong in Independent Africa?	208	(4)
The Gains of Independence	212	(1)
Economic and Political Reforms	213	(3)
Conclusions	216	(2)
Notes	218	(2)
CHAPTER 7 SOUTH AFRICA	220	(58)
Introduction	220	(1)
Historical Overview	221	(1)
South Africa from 1652 to 1870	222	(5)
South Africa between 1870 and 1910	227	(5)
Apartheid: A Theoretical Note on Racism	232	(2)
Apartheid: Laying the Foundation	234	(1)
The Afrikaners Come to Power in 1948	235	(5)
The African Resistance	240	(7)
International Dimensions of the Struggle against Apartheid	247	(2)
The United States' Role	249	(8)
The Debate	249	(2)
Carter and South Africa	251	(2)
Reagan and South Africa	253	(4)
Americans Impose Sanctions	257	(1)
Dismantling of Apartheid	258	(2)
Counting Violence in South Africa, 1990 to 1994	260	(3)
Constitutional Talks: Main Participants	263	(5)
The Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC)	264	(1)
Azania People's Organization (AZAPO)	265	(1)
The National Party	265	(1)
The Democratic Party	266	(1)
The Conservative Party	267	(1)
Other Groups	267	(1)
The Negotiations	268	(1)
The Elections	269	(4)
Mandela's Preelection Moves	269	(1)
The Elections and the Results	270	(3)
Mandela: The Years Later	273	(1)
Conclusions	274	(1)
Notes	275	(3)
CHAPTER 8 AFRICA IN WORLD AFFAIRS	278	(31)
Introduction	278	(3)
The Cold War	281	(2)
The Nonaligned Movement	283	(3)
The Organization of African Unity	286	(8)
The United States and Africa	294	(5)
The Soviet Union and Africa	299	(5)
Conclusions	304	(3)
Notes	307	(2)
BIBLIOGRAPHY	309	(14)
INDEX	323