Historiography 1918-Today (Africa)

This article outlines the historiographical development from Africa’s treatment as a sideshow of World War I to attention to the conflict’s global dimensions starting in the age of decolonisation and attempts to integrate Africa’s role into this new narrative. Historiography on Africa in World War I has massively developed over the last thirty years, yet it is argued that there remain blind spots and desiderata, that stronger emphasis be put on African scholarship, and despite an increased awareness of Africa’s role there remains a lot to be done for its full integration into the global narrative of the War.