Richard Bradshaw – författare

The Central African Republic (CAR) came into existence on 1 December 1958 as a semi-autonomous member state of the Communauté (French Community), meaning that France still controlled its currency, defense, foreign affairs and national security. The history of the CAR can be interpreted in radically different ways. One the one hand the people of Central Africa have suffered enormously at the hands of slave traders, concessionary companies, French colonialists and African rulers, and their country remains largely ‘undeveloped.’ On the other most Central Africans have retained free use of land on which they grow crops and from which they extract numerous valuable resources. Their way of life is in the long run perhaps more sustainable than those of the ‘experts’ who come to assist them. The theme of essential continuity in the history of the CAR is as important, if not more important in the long run, than the themes of violent change, exploitation, and enduring dependence. Deep roots of continuity provide a surprising stability in the face of dramatic and often very painful change on the surface.The Historical Dictionary of the Central African Republic contains a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 1200 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the Central African Republic.

The Central African Republic (CAR) joined the international community when it attained autonomy within the Communauté (French Community) on 1 December 1958. Under this arrangement, France retained control over defense, foreign affairs, currency, and home security. Through history, Central Africans, comprising a quite large number of different ethnic groups and subgroups, engaged in internal and external conflicts, leading to significant migrations that showcased the nation’s current cultural diversity. In the twilight of the 19 century, Western influence arrived on the heels of French colonists, marking the end of slave trade from neighboring states to Central Africans but introducing new forms of servitude such as concessionary companies, portage, taxes, and compulsory labor. Central Africans saw their cultural systems and languages gradually erode, replaced by European educational models and Christianization. In less than 70 years, Central Africans experienced profound changes without a cohesive plan. As an independent nation, the CAR found itself grappling with Western nations contesting its natural resources, yielding little profit, and trapped in neocolonialism. The nation’s limited income weakened its authority, leading to its disappearance in rural areas. Tensions over land resources escalated into a civil war, disguised and polarized under the guise of interreligious conflict. Today, Central Africans stand at a pivotal moment, seeking change for peace and recovery.Historical Dictionary of the Central African Republic, Second Edition contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has more than 1,200 cross-referenced entries on important personalities as well as aspects of the country’s politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the Central African Republic (CAR).