Area Studies: Africa
Area Studies microforms collections are those collections which pertain to a specific region and/or country. Collections are grouped by region, and within region, alphabetically by country. Be sure to check listings for both the general resources and the country to find all collections with information about your subject. Countries are listed under their current official name in English.
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General
AFRICA: SPECIAL STUDIES, 1962-1980
Frederick, MD.: University Publications of America, 1961.
7 reel(s)
The forty-five studies presented in this collection deal with the political, military, and economic problems of post-World War II Africa. The topics covered include the formation and functioning of the local elites, land reform and mineral resources, insurgency and counterinsurgency warfare in Algeria, Kenya, Namibia, and Rhodesia, the African policy of the United States, the involvement of Soviet and Cuban forces in Angola, Eritrea, and on the Horn of Africa, the African policy of China, and the arms procurement of African states. The studies concern the following African countries: Algeria, Angola, Congo (Zaire), Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe (Rhodesia).
Guides:
'Kesaris, Paul (ed.). Africa: Special Studies, 1962-1980.
The guide provides a list of all the studies together with short descriptions of their contents. The guide also includes a subject index.
CIA RESEARCH REPORTS: AFRICA, 1946-1976.
Frederick, Maryland: University Publications of America, 1982.
3 reel(s)
The Central Intelligence Agency reports in this collection are arranged with general reports on continental Africa first, then alphabetically by country, and finally chronologically within each country. The countries include Algeria, Angola, Burundi, Congo (Zaire), Djibouti, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Malagasy Republic, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Zambia, Union of South Africa, Sudan, and Tanzania. Subjects covered include colonialism, communist activities, economics, food crises, nationalism, sanctions, petroleum, foreign relations, and government and politics.
Guides:
CIA research reports : Africa, 1946-1976 [guide].
The guide contains a table of contents, a reel index, and a subject index.
HUMAN RELATIONS AREA FILES.
Ann Arbor, Mich: University Microfilms International, 1968.
Human Relations Area Files
The Human Relations Area Files (HRAF) were developed to facilitate study, teaching, and research in the behavioral sciences, in area studies, and in the humanities. They should be especially valuable as a basis for world and comparative studies of human behavior, social life, and culture in the fields of anthropology, sociology, geography, politics, and psychology. The HRAF files are reputed to be one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of cultural data in existence and they cover approximately three hundred world cultures. The collection contains books, articles, unpublished manuscripts, and the results of field work. HRAF material includes many rare sources and many exclusive translations from foreign texts. HRAF's unique arrangement facilitates comparative studies.
An uncataloged guide, The Nature and the Use of HRAF Files, is available in the Special Collections Office. The collection is organized into separate Cultural Files, each of which corresponds to a cultural unit listed in the Outline of World Cultures (OWC). Within each cultural file the material is organized according to the subject classification system in the Outline of Cultural Materials (OCM). A complete list of the titles included in the collection is available in HRAF Source Bibliography. The researcher may also wish to consult the Index to the Human Relations Area Files and its supplement (1979). Users are encouraged to ask a Special Collections staff member for assistance in the use of this collection.
NOT IN MERLIN
Guides:
Murdock, George Peter Outline of World Cultures (OWC)..
Outline of Cultural Materials (OCM)..
Contains a list of titles in the HRAF collection.
Index to the Human Relations Area Files.
The index is a page-by-page, line-by-line index to the sources included in the HRAF files organized (up to 1979) according to the subject categories in the OCM.
United States. Department of State. RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELATING TO INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF BRITISH AFRICA, 1910-29.
Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1964.
National Archives microfilm publications. Microcopy no. M 583; v. National Archives record group 59.
33 reel(s)
The changing political situation in British South Africa (South Africa) is discussed in this Department of State decimal file. Other subjects treated are public safety, military affairs, industrial matters, economic conditions, communication, and transportation. The remaining records relate to internal affairs in other areas of British Africa such as Cape of Good Hope Colony (South Africa), Transvaal, Natal, Rhodesia, Basutoland (Lesotho), Bechuanaland (Botswana), British West Africa (Camaroons, Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Togoland), Nigeria, Gold Coast (Ghana), Sierre Leone, Gambia, British East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zanzibar), Uganda, Zanzibar, British Somaliland (Somalia), and Nyasaland (Malawi).
An uncataloged guide, Records of the Department of State Relating to Internal Affairs of British Africa, 1910-29, is available in the Special Collections Office. The guide and a complete list of the documents included are on reel one. The documents are arranged by subject according to the Department of State's decimal classification system.
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United States. Department of State. RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELATING TO POLITICAL RELATIONS BETWEEN BRITISH AFRICA AND OTHER STATES, 1910-29.
Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1966.
National Archives microfilm publications. Microcopy no. M 585; v. National Archives record group 59.
1 reel(s)
The settlement of boundary questions is the most pervasive subject of the Department of State decimal file related to British Africa and other countries. Included are documents that discuss the delimitation of the northern boundary of Angola, the boundary dispute between British East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania) and Uganda, the Belgian Congo (Zaire) and German East Africa (most ceded to Britain, now known as Tanzania, the rest is now Rwanda and Burundi), between Tanganyika (Tanzania) and Ruanda-Urundi (Rwanda and Burundi), between Kenya and Italian Somaliland (part of Somalia), and between British Somaliland (part of Somalia) and Ethiopia. Negotiated over a number of years and fully documented in this collection is the dispute between British South Africa (South Africa) and Lourenco Marquez concerning the takeover of the Delgadoes Bay Railway as well as the Mozambique Convention whose main topics were the railway problem, recruiting of labor in Portuguese East Africa for gold mining in the Rand, and equal exchange of products between Lourenco Marquez and the Transvaal.
A complete list of the contents of the collection precedes the filmed documents. They are arranged by subject according to the Department of State's decimal classification system.
FILM 7:4
United States. Department of State. RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELATING TO POLITICAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND BRITISH AFRICA, 1910-29.
Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1966.
National Archives microfilm publications. Microcopy no. M 584; v. National Archives record group 59.
1 reel(s)
The primary subject of this Department of State decimal file is the treaty of commerce and navigation between the United States and Zanzibar. The treaty, in part, interprets and reaffirms treaties made with Muscat in 1833 and with Zanzibar in 1866. Controversial provisions deal with immunity of United States consular officers in courts of Zanzibar, price-fixing to discriminate against United States citizens in Zanzibar, and the exemption from taxes of American citizens in Zanzibar. Other documents discuss relations between the United States and Liberia, including the American proposal for a protectorate over Liberia and Firestone Rubber Corporation's assumption of Liberia's indebtedness to the United States in return for concessions to grow rubber.
A complete list of the contents of this collection precedes the filmed documents. They are arranged by subject according to the Department of State's decimal classification system.
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Cameroon
Great Britain. Colonial Office. CAMEROONS UNDER UNITED KINGDOM ADMINISTRATION 1920/21-1938.
New York: Library of Congress for Andronicus, 1972.
2 reel(s)
In 1922 the League of Nations awarded mandates to the French and British over the German protectorate of Cameroon. The British were given jurisdiction over the western section of the territory. Beginning in 1922 the lieutenant-governors of Nigeria, as administrators of the areas within the British sphere, prepared reports for submission to Parliament, and, in later years, for submission to the League of Nations. Reports discuss the status of the territory, international relations, administration, public finance, taxation, trade statistics, legal questions, police, prisons, defense, arms, education, slavery, labor, religion, public health, land tenure, forestry, agriculture, mines, population statistics, public works, and marine affairs.
The title varies. A table of contents appears at the beginning of each annual report. Paper copies for 1922 to 1923 and 1925 to 1938 are in Annex I (J805.N15).
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Ethiopia
United States. Department of State. RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELATING TO INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF ETHIOPIA (ABYSSINIA), 1910-29.
Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1962.
National Archives microfilm publications. Microcopy no. M 411; v. National Archives record group 59.
4 reel(s)
The changing political situation in Ethiopia is the principal subject of the documents in this Department of State decimal file. Other records relate to petroleum exploitation and petroleum concessions, and to the proposed construction of the Lake Tsana Dam. There are also letters, memoranda and other papers that discuss Bolshevik activities, King Tafari and the royal family, the government of Ethiopia, military affairs, registration of commercial firms in Ethiopia, the banking monopoly by Bank of Abyssinia, the proposed Italian irrigation project on Wai Shebeli River, and postal service between Ethiopia and Italy as well as between Ethiopia and Japan.
An uncataloged guide, Records of the Department of State Relating to Internal Affairs of Ethiopia (Abyssinia), 1910-29, is available in the Special Collections Office and is also filmed on the first reel of the collection preceding the complete list of the documents included. The documents are arranged by subject according to the Department of State's decimal classification system.
FILM 5:12
United States. Department of State. RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELATING TO POLITICAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND ETHIOPIA (ABYSSINIA), 1910-29.
Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1962.
National Archives microfilm publications. Microcopy no. M 412; v. National Archives record group 59.
1 reel(s)
The United States desired a presence in Ethiopia equal to that of Great Britain, Italy, and France in order to gain oil concessions and protect American missionary enterprises in Addis Ababa. These decimal file papers explore the potential for investment of American capital in the construction of railways and roads and in the opening of oil and mineral concessions. They also cover the negotiations and ratifications of various treaties. In 1914 a treaty of commerce and navigation provided for protection of travel, use of telegraph and transportation facilities, and other means of facilitating trade. The treaties of 1928-1929 deal with arbitration, conciliation, and the renunciation of war.
An uncataloged guide, Records of the Department of State Relating to Political Relations Between the United States and Ethiopia (Abyssinia), 1910-29, is available in the Special Collections Office. It is also reproduced at the beginning of the reel. A complete list of the contents of the collection precedes the documents. The documents are arranged by subject according to the Department of State's decimal classification system.
FILM 5:12
Liberia
United States. Department of State. RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELATING TO INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF LIBERIA, 1910-29.
Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1965.
National Archives microfilm publications. Microcopy no. M 613. National Archives record group 59.
34 reel(s)
The largest group of records in this Department of State decimal file relates to economic matters. Included are records relating to negotiation of loan agreements with France, Germany, Great Britain, and the United States, controversies involving the Customs Receivership, alleged violation of neutrality on the part of the German receiver of customs in World War I, appointment of finance officials for the Liberian government, administration of the sinking fund on the 5% gold bond loan of 1913, a loan of five million dollars by the United States, and criticism in the Liberian press of United States policies. Documents in the collection also pertain to the Kru revolt, equipping and staffing the Liberian Frontier Force, the scheme for colonization of American blacks, and the palm oil and rubber industries. Numerous documents discuss rubber concessions and the loan agreement between Liberia and the Firestone Rubber Company.
An uncataloged guide, Records of the Department of State Relating to Internal Affairs of Liberia, 1910-29, is available in the Special Collections Office and is also filmed on reel one. A complete list of the documents in the collection is on reels one and two. The documents are arranged by subject in accordance with the Department of State's decimal classification system.
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Morocco
United States. Department of State. RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELATING TO INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF MOROCCO, 1910-29.
Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1964.
National Archives microfilm publications. Microcopy no. M 577; v. National Archives record group 59.
26 reel(s)
Morocco's political affairs, both domestic and foreign, comprise a large portion of this Department of State decimal file. Topics documented include the Algeciras Convention of 1906, internationalization of Tangier, the Convention of Tangier and the Four-Power (Great Britain, France, Spain, and Italy) agreement on Tangier, grievances of the Riffs, and Spanish military activities in Morocco. Other letters and memoranda relate to port concessions at Tangier, the Imini Manganese Mine, the American Mannesmann Morocco Corporation, municipal governments, public works, economic problems in Spanish Morocco, the French Protectorate, and in Tangier Zone, and American loans for railway construction.
Records of the Department of State Relating to Internal Affairs of Morocco, 1910-29 is available in the Special Collections Office and provides a summary of the reel contents. A list of the documents on reels 1-13 and 26 is on the first reel. The documents are arranged by subject according to the Department of State's decimal classifications system.
FILM 6:13
United States. Department of State. RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELATING TO POLITICAL RELATIONS BETWEEN MOROCCO AND OTHER STATES, 1910-29.
Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1964.
National Archives microfilm publications. Microcopy no. M 579.; v. National Archives record group 59.
1 reel(s)
The overriding theme of most documents in this small Department of State decimal file is the problems of foreigners in Morocco, specifically Great Britain's capitulatory rights, the abolition of extraterritorial jurisdiction by the United States and Great Britain, Spain's disregard of the agreement at Algeciras which recognized the authority of the Sultan over Moroccan territory, the inadequacy of French courts in Morocco, and the presence of the British postal service in the country. Most of the documents are dispatches from Department of State diplomatic and consular officials in Morocco.
An uncataloged guide, Records of the Department of State Relating to Political Relations Between Morocco and other States, 1910-29 is available in the Special Collections Office and is also reproduced at the beginning of the collection. A complete list of the contents of the collection precedes the documents. They are arranged by subject according to the Department of State's decimal classification system.
FILM 6:13
United States. Department of State. RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELATING TO POLITICAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MOROCCO, 1910-1929.
Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1964.
National Archives microfilm publications. Microcopy no. M 578; v. National Archives record group 59.
1 reel(s)
A lecture entitled "The Moroccan Question", reproduced in full, provides a good summary of Morocco's relations with the United States, France, and Spain during World War I. Henry Carter, a State Department official, presented this lecture at the Foreign Service School in 1917. Other documents in this small decimal file relate to the rights and policies of the United States in Morocco, the Algeciras Convention of 1921, the Kellogg-Briand Pact, extraterritorial rights, commerce and trading, consular functions, workmen's compensation, and naturalization.
A complete list of the contents precedes the documents. It serves as a finding aid for the collection. The documents are arranged by subject according to the Department of State's decimal classification system.
FILM 6:13
Tanzania
Great Britain. Colonial Office. TANGANYIKA UNDER UNITED KINGDOM ADMINISTRATION: REPORT BY HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UNITED NATIONS. 1920-.
Washington, D.C.: he Library of Congress for Adronicus, 1970.
2 reel(s)
After defeating the German Army in 1916 at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the British Army occupied German East Africa. In 1919, Britain obtained a protectorate over the conquered territory, renamed Tanganyika (Tanzania), from the League of Nations. Beginning in 1921, colonial administrators began sending annual reports to the British Colonial Office concerning conditions in the territory. The initial report contains extensive background information, including geography, local history of the period to 1921, the ethnography of local tribes, current information on administration, population, finance, trade, agriculture, industries, land tenure, police, prisons, health, and government services. Subsequent reports update this information annually through 1938. In 1946 the reports resumed and continued until 1963. Of these later reports, Ellis has the paper copy only for 1959.
The title of the report varies. A table of contents appears at the beginning of each annual report. The film covers the period from 1920 to 1938. Paper copies for dates 1920 to 1938 and 1959 are available in Annex I (J801.N15).
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Togo
France. Ministere des Colonies. RAPPORT DU GOUVERNEMENT FRANCAIS A L' ASSEMBLEE GENERALE DES NATIONS UNIES SUR L'ADMINISTRATION DU TOGO, 1920-1938.
New York, N.Y.: Andronicus, 1963.
2 reel(s)
At the outset of World War I, the Germans surrendered their colony in Togoland (part of Ghana and the Republic of Togo) to British and French colonial troops. After the war, the League of Nations awarded France and Great Britain a mandate over the former colony, with the eastern two-thirds under the control of the French. French Togo was administered by a commissioner assisted by a consultative executive council of officers. The annual reports of the French administration discuss such matters as slavery, legislation, economic measures, public hygiene, native peoples, financial matters, and demographic statistics.
Title varies. A table of contents appears at the beginning of each annual report for 1921 to 1938.
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Great Britain. Colonial Office. REPORT OF HIS MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UNITED NATIONS ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF TOGOLAND UNDER UNITED KINGDOM TRUSTEESHIP. 1920/21-.
London: Library of Congress for Andronicus, 1972.
2 reel(s)
The early reports on the British trusteeship of Togoland were issued by the governor of the Gold Coast. In 1919 Great Britain gained control of the eastern section of the former German protectorate of Togo (now part of Ghana and the Republic of Togo). In 1922 the League of Nations confirmed a mandate for Great Britain over British Togoland. British Togoland eventually joined with the Gold Coast to form the independent nation of Ghana. The British Colonial Office reports cover administrative concerns, such as international relations, finance, taxation, trade statistics, the court system, police, prisons, defense, arms, social conditions, labor, religion, education, public health, land tenure, forestry, agriculture, and mines.
The title of the report varies. A table of contents appears at the beginning of each annual report. The microfilm collection covers reports for 1920 to 1938. Paper editions for 1920 to 1936 are available in Annex I (J809.N15).
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