Empire 46. The Mau Mau, the court case, and the hidden documents
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Apr 25, 2023 Caroline Elkins, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and Harvard professor, dives deep into the harrowing history of the Mau Mau Uprising and the British colonial abuses in Kenya. She recounts her journey from facing skepticism over her documentary evidence to uncovering 300 hidden boxes of crucial records that validate her findings. The conversation delves into the brutal tactics used by colonial powers, the ongoing struggle for justice among Kikuyu survivors, and the implications of these revelations on contemporary views of colonial history.
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Mau Mau Uprising
- The Mau Mau uprising, primarily by the Kikuyu people in Kenya, was a violent revolt against British rule.
- Although 32 Europeans died, thousands of Kikuyu perished in the ensuing conflict and subsequent detention camps.
Imperial Resurgence in Africa
- Post-World War II, Britain focused on imperial resurgence in Africa, particularly Kenya, to rebuild its economy.
- This contrasted with decolonization efforts in South Asia, creating tension as Africans' hopes for better lives were dashed.
Queen's Visit and Mau Mau Emergency
- Queen Elizabeth's 1952 visit to Kenya, where she ascended the throne, coincided with the beginning of the Mau Mau state of emergency.
- This event symbolically underscored the changing dynamics of British rule in Kenya.
