Warfare and Diplomacy in Pre-Colonial West Africa

Robert S. Smith

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English

Routledge
01 October 2025

Peace studies & conflict resolution; Diplomacy; Warfare & defence

Series: Studies in African History

Originally published in 1976, this book combines detailed technical studies of the diplomacy of the land and waterborne warfare of pre-colonial West Africa. It draws attention to the connexion between these topics as dual aspects of international relations and refers to those parts of West African indigenous diplomacy, showing how these resembled and diverged from practice elsewhere. The causes and consequences of West African wars are analysed and the wide range of weaponry, armour and transport used by armies is also discussed. Strategy and tactics of the wars in relation to defensive operations are also examined. Throughout the book a considerable body of evidence from many sources is deployed to justify both the factual content and the conclusions which are drawn.

By: Robert S. Smith
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm,
ISBN: 9781032617145
ISBN 10: 1032617144
Series: Studies in African History
Pages: 246
Publication Date: 01 October 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

1.Peace and War 2. Peacetime Relations 3. West African Wars: Their Causes and Consequences 4. Armies 5. Arms and Armour 6. Static Warfare and Fortifications 7. Strategy, Tactics and the Battle 8. A Summing-Up.

Robert S. Smith was an expert on the history of the Yoruba peoples in Nigeria and Professor of History at the Universities of Lagos, Ife and Ibadan.

Reviews for Warfare and Diplomacy in Pre-Colonial West Africa

Reviews of the original edition of Warfare and Diplomacy in Pre-Colonial West Africa: ‘The work itself is meritorious. Its bibliography is excellent, its scholarship erudite…’ David Muffett, The American Historical Review, Volume 83, Issue 2. ‘In this book… [Robert S. Smith] has succeeded in producing the first integrated study of traditional West African War and Diplomacy…Breadth and balance are the most salient features of this volume.’ Joseph P. Smaldone, The Journal of African History 18(4).