The impact of motor-vehicles in Africa in the twentieth century : towards a socio-historical case study

The introduction of the motor vehicle into Africa during the course of the 20th century led to far-reaching and complex transformations of African economies, politics, societies and cultures. Through African agency the motor vehicle transformed all aspects of African life. Until now no systematic historical research has been conducted on this topic. By researching the archival, oral and published source material available in Europe and Africa, the author of the present paper is currently writing a comparative social history documenting the transformation of Africa engendered by the introduction of the motor vehicle on the continent. The present paper provides an overview of the social historical material dealing with this topic and briefly discusses the economic, political and sociocultural impact of the motor vehicle on African societies in the 20th century. [Book abstract]

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