Africa 1960: What Manner of Freedom?

Abstract

TANGIERS, Feb. 6—This year is destined to go down in history as Africa Year. A fascinated and incredulous world watches as country after country throws off the shackles of colonialism and joins the Exalted Order of Free and Independent Nations. The catalogue of 1960 graduates and candidates is becoming so familiar that even an unfixed quiz contestant could rattle it off: Kamerun, Togo, Nigeria, Somalia. Now, wonder of wonders, the Belgian Congo. In addition, probably, the Federation of Mali (if its two components, Sudan and Senegal, can agree on French terms) and, not to be outdone by what it has called Mali's disloyal competition in the race for autonomy, Madagascar.

This article can also be found at the Monthly Review website, where most recent articles are published in full.

Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.