• List of illustrations-- Acknowledgements-- Note on the second edition--
• 1. Prologue--
• 2. Economy and society, 1880-1940--
• 3. Government and politics, 1880-1940--
• 4. Culture and religion, 1880-1940--
• 5. Economy and society, 1940-85--
• 6. Government and politics, 1940-85--
• 7. Culuture and religion, 1940-85--
• 8. Democracy and dependence, 1985-95--
• 9. Epilogue-- Bibliographical essay-- Index.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

This edition of Patrick Manning's established text includes two new chapters that discuss developments in the region since 1985, emphasising the democratisation movements of the 1980s and 1990s, the Francophone movement, and the crises in Rwanda and Burundi. Focusing on the French-speaking countries of west and central Africa, the book brings out the way in which the precolonial African heritage shaped new societies, in interaction with French and Belgian colonial rules, and with global economic and cultural forces. Three eras of change are described: the transition to colonial rule from 1880 to 1940, the transition to independent states from 1940 to 1985, and the reconfiguration of post-colonial society after 1985. The first edition of this book has been widely used in courses in African studies and African history.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

France continues to wield considerable power and influence over its former colonies in West and Central Africa, despite granting them independence in the early 1960s. This study analyses the persistent situation of dominance/dependency and offers suggestions for future developments.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)