“Africa is rarely considered by global historians, anthropologists, political scientists and scholars of postcolonial studies when considering factors that shaped the 20th century world. The battles for social justice and civil equality are viewed from a western context. My research demonstrates that the global movement for African independence changed the sociopolitical landscape.” says Sobers.

“African independence movements tried to break down white supremacy and predatory capitalism to create a new global order,” says Sobers. “Opponents to the movements worried that self-government on the African continent would undermine global stability.

“While it is easy now to dismiss the decolonization moment in Africa, the historical record demonstrates that powerful states were sincerely frightened of what this new world would look like. This helps to explain the disappointments of Third World solidarity movements — challenges from within and from without.”

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