Ryan Hurst, Author at

Independent Historian

Ryan G. Hurst is an independent historian who has an interest in the history of Africa and the African diaspora, areas of research that he feels have been lamentably neglected by Western scholars historically. His interests are reading, writing, and film. A lover of cultures, he has traveled the world extensively. In 2009, he graduated with a B.A. in History from the University of Washington. Having begun work towards an advanced degree, he currently has his educational plans on hold as he develops his business and focuses on raising his two lovely daughters. The founder of a Seattle area college consulting firm, he possesses a passion for excellence in education and a desire to help young people succeed academically.

Soweto, South Africa (1904- )

Soweto, an acronym for “South Western Townships,” is a grouping of townships scattered across twenty kilometers southwest of Johannesburg, South Africa. A quintessential example of segregationist planning, Soweto initially was the result of mass evictions and evacuations of black residents of the city of Brickfields … Read MoreSoweto, South Africa (1904- )

Congo Civil War (1960-1964)

The Congo Civil War, or Congo Crisis, was a complex political tumult that began just days following Belgium’s granting of Congolese independence in 1960. Lasting four years, the associated violence claimed an estimated 100,000 lives including the nation’s first Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba, and UN … Read MoreCongo Civil War (1960-1964)

Angolan Civil War (1975-2002)

The Angolan Civil War, beginning at the time of the country’s independence from Portugal in 1975, was a 27-year struggle involving the deaths of over 500,000 soldiers and civilians. Initiated at the height of the Cold War, pro- and anti-communist forces in Angola set the … Read MoreAngolan Civil War (1975-2002)

Mahdist Revolution (1881-1898)

The Mahdist Revolution was an Islamic revolt against the Egyptian government in the Sudan. An apocalyptic branch of Islam, Mahdism incorporated the idea of a golden age in which the Mahdi, translated as “the guided one,” would restore the glory of Islam to the earth. … Read MoreMahdist Revolution (1881-1898)

Samuel Kanyon Doe (1951-1990)

Samuel Kanyon Doe, army officer and Master Sergeant, was the unelected President of Liberia from 1980 to 1990. Notorious for his human rights violations, Doe seized control of Liberia in April of 1980 through a bloody coup. A polarizing figure throughout his tenure, Doe was … Read MoreSamuel Kanyon Doe (1951-1990)

Republic of Biafra (1967-1970)

The Republic of Biafra was a short-lived Nigerian secessionist state which came into existence on May 30, 1967 when the Igbo-dominated southeastern corner of Nigeria seceded in the formation of its own independent country. Following its defeat in the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), on January … Read MoreRepublic of Biafra (1967-1970)

Rwandan Genocide (1994)

Beginning on April 7, 1994 and lasting until mid-July of the same year, the Rwandan Genocide was the government-mandated killing of Tutsis and Hutu political moderates. Having commenced in the capital city of Kigali, the violence spread rapidly throughout the Rwandan countryside where, in less … Read MoreRwandan Genocide (1994)

Bahutu Manifesto (1957)

The Bahutu Manifesto, drafted by nine Rwandan Hutu intellectuals in 1957, was a political document that called for Hutu ethnic and political solidarity, as well as the political disfranchisement of the Tutsi people. It served as the political pretext for the Rwandan Genocide of 1994. … Read MoreBahutu Manifesto (1957)

Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970)

The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Nigerian-Biafran War, was a three-year bloody conflict with a death toll numbering more than one million people. Having commenced seven years after Nigeria gained independence from Britain, the war began with the secession of the southeastern region … Read MoreNigerian Civil War (1967-1970)

Kwame Nkrumah (1909-1972)

Kwame Nkrumah, the first prime minister (1957-1960) and president (1960-1966) of the Republic of Ghana, was the leader of the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain its independence. He subsequently became a leading figure in the campaign for the United States of Africa. Nkrumah was … Read MoreKwame Nkrumah (1909-1972)