The multifaceted nature of African Perspectives on Colonialism by A. Adu Boahen is one of its greatest strengths as a historical overview. Boahen analyzes 19th and 20th century colonialism from a variety of African and European national's perspectives. He examines the influence of the slave trade, the negative view of Blackness and native religions in the cultural worldview of Christian missionaries, the economic value of colonial dominion of Africa for Europe, as well as details the devastating impact of colonization upon the African continent, despite some European historian's claims that it had both positive and negative effects.
             Boahen begins his introduction to his work by noting: "The most surprising aspects of the imposition of colonialism on Africa were its suddenness and its unpredictability," given the growing independence of many African nations in the years preceding the widespread domination of Africa. (p.1) With a fact that is surprising to a modern reader, accustomed to hearing about Africa in ways that are primarily defined by its history colonialism and its relationship with the West, Boahen points out that in 1880, Africa was relatively independent. Also, it showed signs of economically developing in a way that would integrate it fully into the international community. The slave trade had been replaced by more conventional economic methods of international exchange of natural goods. (p.1)
             However, the corresponding development of industrialization in the West created a demand for markets over which those nations had exclusive monopolies. (p.3) The colonial powers imposed a system of state control, which enshrined racial discrimination as part of the legal and governing structure of their dominions, most famously extant in South Africa until modern times. Black nationals did not even have access to the same educational, residential, and sanitary accommodations as their European counterparts...