African Intellectual Revolution In the 20th Century: A Review of Kenneth Onwuka Dike’s Contributions to African History

Abstract

The last quarter of the 19^th century witnessed the outward and inordinate expression of European’s quest for territorial occupation of Africa in order to massively control and brutally exploit African resources for their benefits. To achieve their selfish economic and political interests, the rapacious colonizers deliberately distorted and grossly misinterpreted African historical accounts. Apparently, History was used as a tool to becloud realities and make Africans to look docile and timid. A daunting challenge faced by Africans and African historians was to counter these misleading lies which formed the basis of colonialism and create a new image for Africa. A foremost and committed pioneer of this epoch-making crusade was Professor K.O Dike. Using the historical methods of diverse secondary sources as well as multi-disciplinary approach, this paper intends to provide the major historical ideas and contributions of K.O Dike, leading to the reconstruction of African past, the establishment of the historiographical tradition, attainment of independence for most African states as well as the transformation of the new emergent African States.

Keywords: African history, intellectual, Kenneth Dike, review, revolution,