"Colonialism and Violence in Nigeria" looks closely at the conditions that created a legacy of violence in Nigeria. Toyin Falola examines violence as a tool of domination and resistance, however unequally applied, to get to the heart of why Nigeria has not built a successful democracy. Falola's analysis centers on two phases of Nigerian history: the last quarter of the 19th century, when linkages between violence and domination were part of the British conquest; and the first half of the 20th century, which was characterized by violent rebellion and the development of a national political consciousness. This important book emphasizes the patterns that have been formed and focuses on how violence and instability have influenced Nigeria today.

Table of Contents

Preface; Acknowledgments; Major Events in Nigerian History Covered in This Book 1. Violence and Colonial Conquest; 2. Resistance by Violence; 3. Violence and Colonial Consolidation; 4. Taxation and Conflicts; 5. Gendered Violence; 6. Verbal Violence and Radical Nationalism; 7. Labor, Wages, and Riots; Conclusion: Violence and Political Culture Notes; Bibliography; Index

Prizes

How colonial rule generated conditions for persistent violent confrontation

Reviews

"Colonial violence treated from the point of view of the African victims/colonized, not from the self-serving perspective of European/British conquerors and colonizers." Felix Ekechi, Kent State University "Well-researched, well-written with its richly textured and nuanced analysis, it is the first study to attempt a general and cohesive overview of the connections between violence and imperialism in colonial Nigeria." Funso Afolayan, University of New Hampshire "Colonialism and Violence in Nigeria is an indispensable resource for lecturers, and will endure as a useful synthesis for researchers and devotees of Nigerian history." oIntl. Journal of African Historical Studies, Vol. 43, no. 2, 2010