A. Adu Boahen's African Perspectives on Colonialism carefully classifies African responses to European colonialism during both phases of invasion and occupation during the 19th century with precise labels based on their nature or time period. However, reactions can also be loosely grouped into two diametric characterizations: peaceful and violent. While the creation of this dichotomy seems like a gross generalization and oversimplification of the African colonial experience, it, more importantly, allows for a different perspective, one that highlights the overwhelming success of the typically peaceful or pacifist reaction as opposed to the small gains and large losses of violent forces. answer. To analyze Boahen's work and produce a coherent interpretation of his evidence, definitions and connections between the terms in question are crucial. Thus, peaceful responses are defined as free of bloodshed and aggressive confrontations, while violent reactions are defined as riots by a coalition or faction involving open hostility. In the context of African resistance to colonialism, success is defined as achieving the objective of the party in question and maintaining the objective achieved so that it has a lasting positive impact on the country. These goals typically fall into the two categories of state sovereignty and friendship. Although generally believed to be the product of peaceful reactions, casualties and destruction are typically the most notable results of violent opposition. Furthermore, this pattern observed from the results of the two types of responses is best understood when presented in terms of time periods: invasion and occupation. There are several examples of peaceful strength...... middle of paper ..... .the socio-economic. Even more fascinating is the equally consistent trend that states that engaged in peaceful negotiations with colonialists were far more successful than their violent counterparts in achieving or maintaining sovereignty and peace, despite sometimes having to sacrifice one for the other. 'other. For reasons beyond the scope of this article, Boahen makes a conscious decision not to emphasize this apparent trend. Ultimately, peaceful responses did not lead to a harmonious relationship between the colony and the colonial power; however, unlike their violent counterparts, they did not result in nearly the same number of deaths, injuries, and devastating consequences for the colony's infrastructure. Works Cited Boahen, A. Adu. African perspectives on colonialism. (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1987.)