Explain how the emergence of African History in the 1960s changed
perspectives of Africa in the world. In your response, refer to perspectives of
Africa before and after the 1960s and how they use of non-traditional
historical sources contributed to these changes
The emergence of African history in the 1960s marked a significant turning
point in the way Africa was perceived in the world. Prior to this period,
African history was either ignored or misrepresented, with Western scholars
and colonial powers painting a picture of Africa as a continent with no
history or civilization worth mentioning. However, with the rise of African
nationalism and the decolonization movement, there was a renewed interest
in African history, and African scholars began to challenge these dominant
narratives.
African historians sought to challenge the Western view that Africa was a
dark continent with no history by emphasizing the rich and diverse history of
Africa. They drew on non-traditional sources of history, including oral
traditions, linguistics, archaeology, and anthropology, to reconstruct the
history of Africa before the arrival of Europeans. By doing so, they
challenged the dominant Western narrative that Africa was a continent of
savages and reinforced the notion that Africa had a complex and rich
history.
Furthermore, African historians also used these non-traditional sources to
challenge the Eurocentric view of history, which placed Europe at the center
of the world and portrayed it as the birthplace of civilization. They argued
that African civilizations, such as the Kingdom of Kush, the Kingdom of
Ghana, and the Mali Empire, were just as advanced as European
civilizations and made significant contributions to world history. This view of
African history helped to change the way the world saw Africa, as it
challenged the negative stereotypes that had been perpetuated by Western
powers.
Overall, the emergence of African history in the 1960s marked a significant
shift in the way Africa was perceived in the world. By drawing on non-
traditional sources and challenging the Eurocentric view of history, African
historians were able to construct a new narrative of African history that
emphasized the richness and complexity of African civilizations. This new
narrative helped to challenge the negative stereotypes that had been
perpetuated by Western powers and contributed to a more positive and
nuanced view of Africa.
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