Colonialism on the Margins of Africa Routledge Studies in the Modern History of Africa Series

Colonial rule shaped the map of Africa like no other event in history. New borders were delineated; explorers and colonial armies were getting into the interior of the continent in order to grab the "magnificent cake of Africa."

Colonialism on the Margins of Africa examines less known and smaller or peripheral areas of Africa which played a significant role in the process of colonization of Africa by European powers. Due to diverse socio-economic, religious, ethno-linguistic, as well as political factors, places like the Somali-speaking territories, the Gambia, or Swaziland were divided between or surrounded by various administrative and political systems with different economic opportunities shaping the way to different futures in the post-colonial period.

This book will be of interest to students and scholars of African history and colonial and postcolonial politics.

Introduction Chapter 1 - Ethiopia and the colonial discourse Chapter 2 - The great imperial game in the Horn of Africa and its impact on current political processes in Somalia Chapter 3 - Small but strategic: foreign interests, railway, and colonialism in Djibouti Chapter 4 - A small piece of Africa: forming the British colony of the Gambia Chapter 5 - The French protectorate in Tunisia: a visitor's insight Chapter 6 - Ruanda-Urundi under Belgian control: demography, labor force, and migration Chapter 7 - British colonial policy towards Bechuanaland, Basutoland ,and Swaziland: real periphery of periphery or the Suez of the South?

Jan Záhořík is associate professor at the Department of Middle Eastern Studies, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Czech Republic.

Linda Piknerová is an assistant professor at the Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Czech Republic.