Alyssa Franz, Author at • Page 2 of 2

Student Historian

Alyssa Franz is an undergraduate at the University of Washington, Seattle, working to attain her major in history. With her goal of becoming a high school history teacher, she is pursuing different paths of history courses and has an interest in African American history.
She plans to attend the University of Washington to get a Masters’ Degree in history.

Kingdom of Benin

Benin, a pre-colonial kingdom in what is now southwestern Nigeria, is believed to have been established before the eleventh century. It was founded by Edo-speaking peoples, but became more ethnically diverse when invaders from the grasslands of the Sudan settled and intermarried with local women. Based … Read MoreKingdom of Benin

Kingdom of Oyo (ca. 1500-1837)

Oyo, a pre-colonial kingdom in present-day Nigeria, was founded in the 1300s. Established by Oranmiyan of the Yoruba people of West Africa, Oyo quickly grew to become one of the most powerful states in the Yoruba-speaking region. From its capital city at Oyo-Ile, this weak … Read MoreKingdom of Oyo (ca. 1500-1837)

General Yakubu Dan-Yumma Gowon (1934- )

Yakubu Gowon, Nigerian head of state during its civil war, was born in Northern Nigeria in 1934. Gowon joined the Nigerian army in 1954, and became a Second Lieutenant on his 21st birthday in 1955. From this point until 1966, Gowon was a professional soldier … Read MoreGeneral Yakubu Dan-Yumma Gowon (1934- )

Osei Kofi Tutu (c. 1680-1717)

Osei Kofi Tutu, the fourth ruler of the Ashanti Empire, serving from 1701 until 1717, was also one of the most important leaders of the state that is now part of modern-day Ghana. During his childhood, Tutu was part of the royal court of Denkyira … Read MoreOsei Kofi Tutu (c. 1680-1717)

Buganda (ca. 1375-1900)

Buganda, the largest of the medieval kingdoms in present-day Uganda, became an important and powerful state during the 19th century. Established in the late 14th century along the shore of Lake Victoria, it evolved around its founding kabaka (king) Kintu, who came to the region … Read MoreBuganda (ca. 1375-1900)

Harry Thuku (1895-1970)

Harry Thuku, one of the pioneers of African nationalism in Kenya, was born in the Kambui region of the British colony in 1895. In 1907, the Gospel Missionary Society build a mission center in Kambui, employing Thuku as a herd boy and houseboy. During his … Read MoreHarry Thuku (1895-1970)

Alhaji (Sir) Ahmadu Bello (1910-1966)

Alhaji (Sir) Ahmadu Bello was the Sardauna of Sokoto and leader of Nigeria’s northern region during the last years of British rule and early independence. He was brutally murdered at his home during a 1966 coup d’état, one in a series of events characterizing Nigeria’s … Read MoreAlhaji (Sir) Ahmadu Bello (1910-1966)

Hastings Banda (ca. 1896-1997)

Hastings Kamuzu Banda, the first president of Malawi, was initially presented to the Malawi people by British Colonial officials as the best person who could lead them into independence. Later as the country’s self-declared “life president,” Banda transformed this African democracy into a repressive dictatorship … Read MoreHastings Banda (ca. 1896-1997)