Anthills of the Savannah Historical Context

Anthills of the Savannah Historical Context

Political Instability

Growing up in Nigeria, Achebe saw for himself how disruptive social upheaval and political instability are and how they affect every facet of a society. He was born during Nigeria's colonial years, a period of tremendous conflict and sociopolitical change. Achebe grew up during the ensuing period of nationalist protest. Once Nigeria gained independence in 1960, vestiges of the colonial years remained, including borders and new political ideas and structures.

When Achebe left his position with the Nigerian Broadcasting Company in 1966, he accepted the position of Biafran Minister of Information. (It is likely that this experience informed his creation of Chris, the Commissioner of Information in Anthills of the Savannah .) The Republic of Biafra was a short-lived Ibo state created upon secession. The Ibo decided to found their own state after witnessing the massacre of 10,000 to 30,000 of their people by Islamic Hausa and Fulani people,...
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