Africa and the African Diaspora in the Development of the Global North: The American Story

This book examines the impact of “out of Africa” migrations on the development of the Global North. The current body of research on the history of human migrations has documented the African global presence from ancient times to the present. Yet the impact of the African migrations, voluntary or forced, on the development of the Modern World, especially the Global North, has either been neglected, ignored or distorted in historical accounts. It is now common knowledge that Africa has most of the world’s natural resources, primarily for exports. These resources include gold, diamond, copper, oil and natural gas, iron ore, aluminum, uranium, phosphate, etc. It is equally important to note that available data have also documented Africa’s exports of its human capital for the development of the modern world, especially the Global North. In filling this gap in the literature, this volume focuses on the United States of America, the most powerful nation in the Global North, for an in-depth study. It is hypothesized in this study that Africans and peoples of African descent were central to the development and growth of the United States from its beginnings to the present. The study depends primarily on culturally relevant Historiographical method. A major distinguished feature of this volume is its Afrocentric multidisciplinary approach while relying heavily on the discipline of History. The concluding chapter draws on multiple sources in summarizing the contributions and the impact of Africa and peoples of African descent in the American Experience as a major part of the Global North. It probes current trends and trajectories in African American Studies; African American Quality of Life; the future role of Africa and the African Diaspora in American life and the Global North.