Tears, Fire, and Blood - by James H Meriwether (Paperback)

About the Book

"In Tears, Fire, and Blood, James Meriwether offers a sweeping history of how the United States responded to decolonization in Africa. The new political terrain of the twentieth century drew out national and ideological dilemmas in the U.S.: democratic principles of self-determination ran up against fears of potential Communist gains, and ideals of one person/one vote crashed against doubts about weakening western alliances and anticommunist partners. A decolonizing Africa helped propel the black freedom struggle around the world, forcing the U.S. to confront the realities of civil rights abroad as it fought over how to achieve equality at home. Meriwether demonstrates that Washington veered between strengthening African nationalist movements seeking majority rule and independence and bolstering anticommunist European allies seeking to maintain white rule. Ultimately, the U.S. supported European allies and white minority rule, choosing national security interests and racial prejudices over anticolonialism"--

Book Synopsis

In the mid-twentieth century, the struggle against colonial rule fundamentally reshaped the world and the lives of the majority of the world's population. Decolonization, Black and Brown freedom movements, the establishment of the United Nations and NATO, an exploding Cold War, a burgeoning world human rights movement, all became part of the dramatic events that swept through Africa at a furious pace, with fifty nations gaining independence in roughly fifty years. Meanwhile, the United States emerged as the most powerful and influential nation in the world, with the ability--politically, economically, militarily--and principles to help or hinder the transformation of the African continent.

Tears, Fire, and Blood offers a sweeping history of how the United States responded to decolonization in Africa. James H. Meriwether explores how Washington, grappling with national security interests and racial prejudices, veered between strengthening African nationalist movements seeking majority rule and independence and bolstering anticommunist European allies seeking to maintain white rule. Events in Africa helped propel the Black freedom struggle around the world and ultimately forced the United States to confront its support for national ideals abroad as it fought over how to achieve equality at home.

Review Quotes

"Meriwether's work stands out as one of the most prominent in this well-established field of inquiry. . . . A wealth of information, a thoughtful perspective and a captivating narrative style which encourages a deeper look at events that need to be explored in greater detail."--UTAFITI

"A thoroughly engaging history of America's involvement in the decolonization of Africa . . . succinct, yet academically rigorous."--Javan D. Frazier, H-Net Reviews

"James H. Meriwether's excellent work is . . . both comprehensive and concise. . . . If there is another conference of diplomatic historians there will be a large group specializing in Africa, and Meriwether will be among its leaders."--Journal of American History

"This is the first comprehensive modern history of Washington's involvement with Africa from WW II to the 1990s. . . . Meriwether has dug diligently into both the seamy and more enlightened sections of the archives. Much in his account is new and shameful. . . . Recommended."--CHOICE