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Mikaelson Institute for African Studies

History & Decolonization — Approach

A chronological framework.

Our History & Decolonization research follows a single historical throughline, from pre-colonial societies to the contemporary continent — one of MIAS's four focus areas, not the whole of its work.

  1. 01

    Pre-Colonial

    African societies and states before European contact.

  2. 02

    Contact

    Early trade, exploration, and initial European presence.

  3. 03

    Colonial

    The imposition and administration of colonial rule.

  4. 04

    Independence

    Anti-colonial movements and the transition to sovereign states.

  5. 05

    Contemporary

    The present continent, shaped by and reckoning with this history.