A History of West Africa

This book introduces readers to the rich and fascinating history of West Africa, stretching all the way back to the stone age, and right up to the modern day. Over the course of twenty seven short and engaging chapters, the book delves into the social, cultural, economic and political history of West Africa, through prehistory, revolutions, ancient empires, thriving trade networks, religious traditions, and then the devastating impact of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and subsequent colonial rule. The book reflects on the struggle for independence and investigates how politics and economics developed in the post-colonial period. By the end of the book, readers will have a detailed understanding of the fascinating and diverse range of cultures to be found in West Africa, and of how the region relates to the rest of the world. Drawing on decades of teaching and research experience, this book will serve as an excellent textbook for entry-level History and African Studies courses, as well as providing a perfect general introduction to anyone interested in finding out about West Africa.

Toyin Falola, Ph.D. is the Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities and University Distinguished Teaching Professor, Department of History, The University of Texas at Austin. He is the recipient of many distinguished awards, including sixteen honorary titles.

PART I: INTRODUCTION 1. Introduction 2. Writing West African History 3. Geography, Landscape, and Composition PART II: EARLY HISTORY, STATE FORMATION, AND SOCIETIES 4. Evolutions and Revolutions 5. Societies and Cultures in the Iron Age 6. The Trans-Saharan Trade in West Africa 7. States and Empires 8. Domestic Economies 9. Traditional Religions PART III: WEST AFRICA IN THE ERA OF ATLANTIC ECONOMIES AND GLOBALIZATION UP TILL THE NINETEENTH CENTURY 10. Islam in West Africa 11. Christianity in West Africa 12. The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade 13. Economy and Society: External Commerce 14. Transformations and Revolutions in the Nineteenth Century 15.The Nineteenth Century Jihads in West Africa PART IV: THE COLONIAL ERA 16. Colonial Rule and Its Impact 17. West Africa and the World Wars (1914-1919) and (1940-1945) 18. Nationalism and Independence 19. The Road to Independence in West Africa PART V: THE POSTCOLONIAL ERA 20. Postcolonial Politics 21. Economies and Development 22. Postcolonial Cultures 23. Cultural Changes and Popular Cultures 24. Religions and Religious Changes 25. Contemporary West African Identities 26. West Africa and the Wider World 27. Trajectories and Projections on the Future of West Africa 28. Timeline