Ch. 1. A Pre-Colonial Overview. The Mane Invasions. Some Conclusions on Early Political Structures and Procedure. The Nineteenth Century Economy. European Explorers. The Founding of Freetown
Ch. 2. The Colonial Experience. The Beginnings of the Krio Diaspora. Establishing a Protectorate in the Hinterland. The Aftermath of the Hut Tax War. An Undiversified Resource-Based Economy
Ch. 3. Decolonization and the Making of the Post-Colonial State. The Krio on the Political Margins. The West African Youth League. Krio Elite Reaction to Constitutional Developments. The Path to Political Independence. Further Unrest in the Protectorate. Political Competition within the SLPP. Political Culture
Ch. 4. Trends in Politics, Society, and Economy in the Post-Colonial State. Problems of Legitimacy and Ethnic Diversity. Power Consolidation and Ethnoregional Identities. Siaka Stevens Assumes Power. Economic Trends and Neopatrimonialism. External Dependence