Traces the European presence in the New World, focusing on the Spanish, French, and English and their relations with the Native Americans.

Africa, 1500-1900

by Constance Jones

Published 1 January 1993
Drawing on the latest scholarship, each volume in the World History Library set explores important eras and events, explaining not only what happened but why.

Coverage begins by presenting the political, economic, and social background of the country or region at the start of the period. The engaging, clearly written narrative then goes on to describe critical events and themes.

Each volume also offers many helpful learning aids:
-- Special features highlight crucial topics and the roles of individuals whose contributions had a major impact on the world
-- Carefully chosen historical drawings and photos provide a primary interpretation of the era
-- Maps and chronologies allow young readers to understand history in perspective
-- Suggestions for further reading and a helpful index enhance the reference value of each volume.

The World History Library set places each age within a larger context, giving young readers a broad understanding of history.

Africa: 1500-1900 is a concise one-volume history of Africa and African peoples, from the time of the early discoveries and explorations of the continent by European cultures to the years of its most extensive exploration.

Presenting her material from an African perspective, Constance Jones provides vivid portraits of the great variety of cultures present in 1500 -- from the gold-mining Songhai Empire of the Sudan to the forest-dwelling Ife artists to Swahili-speaking traders on the east coast. Their subsequent, often turbulent, history is traced over the ensuing centuries of mercantile trade, colonization, slavery, and war.