Britain, France and the decolonization of Africa : future imperfect? / edited by Andrew W.M. Smith and Chris Jeppesen.

Looking at decolonization in the conditional tense, this volume teases out the complex and uncertain ends of British and French empire in Africa during the period of 'late colonial shift' after 1945. Rather than view decolonization as an inevitable process, the contributors together explore the crucial historical moments in which change was negotiated, compromises were made, and debates were staged. Three core themes guide the analysis: development, contingency and entanglement. The chapters consider the ways in which decolonization was governed and moderated by concerns about development and profit. A complementary focus on contingency allows deeper consideration of how colonial powers planned for 'colonial futures', and how divergent voices greeted the end of empire. Thinking about entanglements likewise stresses both the connections that existed between the British and French empires in Africa, and those that endured beyond the formal transfer of power.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction : development, contingency and entanglement : decolonization in the conditional / Andrew W.M. Smith and Chris Jeppesen -- Nation, state and agency : evolving historiographies of African decolonization / Michael Collins -- 'The winds of change are blowing economically' : the Labour Party and British overseas development, 1940s-1960s / Charlotte Lydia Riley -- 'Oil will set us free' : the hydrocarbon industry and the Algerian decolonization process / Marta Musso -- Future imperfect : colonial futures, contingencies and the end of French empire / Andrew W.M. Smith -- The dynamics of anti-apartheid : international solidarity, human rights and decolonization / Robert Skinner -- 'A worthwhile career for a man who is not entirely self-seeking' : service, duty and the Colonial Service during decolonization / Chris Jeppesen -- Protecting empire from without : francophone African migrant workers, British West Africa and French efforts to maintain power in Africa, 1945-1960 / Joanna Warson -- Afterword : Achilles and the tortoise : the tortoise's view of late colonialism and decolonization / Martin Shipway.

Print version record.

English.

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