Africa and the New Imperialism, 1870-1914 is a ground-breaking collection providing the most extensive resource covering Africa in the age of New Imperialism; a major period of colonial expansion that sent shockwaves that are still felt today. These were 44 years that reshaped the African continent and transformed the modern world.

AM’s new collection shines a light on the period for researchers and students, from its origins to the aftermath. Interactive maps and contextual insights chart a time of unprecedented change — telling the story from a wider range of perspectives than ever before.

The imperialist project is examined in detail through the diaries, journals, sketch books, and files of its key figures and institutions. In addition, this extensive collection allows users to research stories and engage with voices from beyond the European male colonialist viewpoint, including the narratives of women, letters and papers from African leaders, kings, chiefs, and emirs, and photographs and film footage featuring the daily lives of African peoples and groups.

Contextual insights and academic essays address the gaps and silences present in historical source material from this period. Entry point guides provide support to students of all levels, while an interactive map presents a dynamic visual representation of key events and redrawn borders that can be difficult to grasp from traditional sources.

Using AM’s latest Quartex platform technology, the collection harnesses cutting-edge technologies and dynamic content to maximise the discovery, accessibility and engagement of the digitised materials within. Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) uses artificial intelligence to enable search beyond metadata, opening up exciting new opportunities for researchers.

“The material in this collection can be used to study a wide range of different themes, from race and ethnicity to war and violence; from the development of technology and infrastructure to the experience of women under colonial rule. Africa and the New Imperialism is an essential resource for researchers exploring the history and legacy of Africa’s encounters with European imperialist regimes.”

Louise Hemmings, Editorial Director, AM

Africa and the New Imperialism will be permanently and freely available to the national libraries and archives of all countries within the African continent, including:

>         Each federal site of the South African National Archives;

>         the two branches of the National Library of South Africa; and

>         to all African universities, outside Egypt and South Africa

To find out more, or to request a free trial, visit the product page here.

About AM

AM’s digital collections and technology platforms enrich the study, research and teaching of primary sources. AM works with libraries, archives and heritage institutions to digitise the world’s historical and cultural knowledge. With AM, customers can discover award-winning archival collections, learn how to use them, or create their own.