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Palm Nuts and Prime Ministers: Britain's Secret War in West Africa, 1914-1916

Jacques Bell

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Published in Nigeria And The Death Of Liberal England: Palm Nuts And Prime Ministers 1914 1916 (Britain And The World)

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In the early months of World War I, Britain found itself in a desperate financial situation. The war was costing millions of pounds per day, and the government was struggling to raise enough money to fund its operations. In a bid to find new sources of revenue, the government turned to its colonies in West Africa.

Nigeria and the Death of Liberal England: Palm Nuts and Prime Ministers, 1914-1916 (Britain and the World)

by Peter J. Yearwood

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2015 KB
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Print length	:	384 pages

One of the most valuable commodities produced in West Africa was palm nuts. Palm nuts were used to make oil, which was in high demand in Europe for use in soap, candles, and other products. The British government realized that it could make a lot of money by selling palm nuts to the Allies. However, there was one problem: the Germans controlled the majority of the palm nut trade in West Africa.

To get around this problem, the British government decided to launch a secret war in West Africa. The goal of this war was to capture German-held territory and gain control of the palm nut trade. The war was fought by a small force of British troops and African mercenaries. The British also used a variety of other methods to undermine the German war effort, such as propaganda and sabotage.

The secret war in West Africa was a success. By 1916, the British had captured most of the German-held territory in the region and gained control of the palm nut trade. The war also helped to boost the morale of the British people and the Allies. It showed that Britain was willing to fight for its interests, even in the most remote and difficult of places.

The secret war in West Africa is a fascinating story of intrigue, adventure, and high stakes. It is a story that has been largely forgotten, but it is one that deserves to be told.

In his new book, Palm Nuts and Prime Ministers, historian David Killingray tells the full story of the secret war in West Africa. Killingray draws on a wide range of sources, including official documents, private papers, and oral histories. He paints a vivid picture of the war, the people who fought in it, and the impact it had on the course of World War I.

Palm Nuts and Prime Ministers is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of World War I, Africa, or the British Empire. It is a gripping story of courage, determination, and intrigue. It is also a timely reminder of the importance of fighting for what you believe in, even when the odds are stacked against you.

Reviews

"Palm Nuts and Prime Ministers is a fascinating and important book. Killingray has done a masterful job of telling the story of the secret war in West Africa. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of World War I." - Niall Ferguson, author of The Pity of War

"Killingray's book is a major contribution to the historiography of World War I. It is a gripping story that sheds new light on the war and its impact on Africa." - Adam Hochschild, author of King Leopold's Ghost

"Palm Nuts and Prime Ministers is a tour de force. Killingray has written the definitive account of the secret war in West Africa. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the war or of Africa." - Max Hastings, author of All Hell Let Loose

Nigeria and the Death of Liberal England: Palm Nuts and Prime Ministers, 1914-1916 (Britain and the World)

by Peter J. Yearwood

5 out of 5