Research Paper Outline

The Nigerian Civil War

Randy Ozbirn

Lilia Anand

HIST340 D001

June 15, 2016

Africa: The Nigerian Civil War - Abstract and Outline

Abstract: This paper will involve an in general look into how the Nigerian Civil War began. The paper will also include an in general look in to what exactly caused the war to start. The paper’s main goal is to show exactly how the Nigerian Civil War started but will also cover the events that led up to the war. The paper will show how the Nigerian Civil War efforts changed the political state, society, the economy, industry, government, culture, and religious of Africa. Prior to, during and after the Nigerian Civil War, the country saw many changes with government, military structure, and transformation. The results of the Nigerian Civil War showed a country that was hit very hard with casualties, saw the Nigerian Air Force briefly crippled, a country with residents who felt as if the population had been displaced by the government, and a government that was still trying to find its identity.

Title: The Nigerian Civil War

Thesis: The battle between Nigeria and the Republic of Biafra last from July 6, 1967 until January 13, 1970. Nigeria was most made up of two different religions, Christians and animist to the south and Muslims to the north. After Nigeria gained its independence during 1960, there would be tribal lines formed in three different provinces. Tensions would grow stronger between the three tribes during 1966 after a coup by the military that saw a new President take over leadership of the country. General Aguiyi-Ironsi, who was an Igbo, took command of the country after the failed military coup. Nigeria was considered a colonial entity that was created by the British. Nigeria was no different than any of the other African nations in that it was considered an artificial structure that would be created by the British, who failed to consider things such as linguistic, ethnic, and religious differences among the people. The Nigerian Civil War is considered to be the result of tensions throughout the Nigerian population concerning ethnic, economic, religion, and cultural differences.

I. Introduction

A. Details setting the stage for the paper.

B. Thesis: The Nigerian Civil War, which is also referred to as the Biafran War lasted from July 6, 1967 until January 13, 1970. This war was viewed as a conflict that was a political moved which was started by the attempt of secession of Nigeria, the southeastern provinces, as being a self-proclaimed Republic of Biafra. The fear of marginalization within the state, the Republic of Biafra, would declare its independence on May 30, 1967. The province consisted of mostly Igbo citizens who wanted freedom from Nigeria. Nigeria would create a huge humanitarian crisis in the Republic of Biafra by blocking and supplies or food from entering the Republic of Biafra. The world media would display the many images of how the people were suffering so this would create a very large relief effort for the Republic of Biafra. The group called Doctors without Borders was established in response to the war. These images would be the first since World War II the media would put on display in homes worldwide and caused development of more humanitarian response to more complex emergencies.

II. State of Nigeria prior to Nigerian Civil War

A. General Economy.

B. Industry.

C. Military Forces.

D. Society.

E. Ethnic Division.

III. Nigerian Civil War begins in 1967

A. Biafran Offensive.

B. Nigerian Offensive.

C. Control over oil production.

IV. International Involvement

A. France.

B. United States.

C. Soviet Union.

D. Israel.

V. Biafra

A. Humanitarian Crisis.

B. Media.

C. Public Opinion.

D. Kwale Oilfield Incident

VI. Conclusion

A. Reiteration of thesis.

B. Summarization of the Nigerian Civil War and how the country reacted after Nigeria had forced Biafra to surrender. Also how the country’s economy, industry, and society were affected by the war and the final results of the war.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Baxter, Peter, Biafra: The Nigerian Civil War, 1967-1970, Helion & Company Limited, 2014

Nigerian Civil War, New World Encyclopedia,

Nigerian Civil War (1967-1070),

Nigerian Civil War: Nigerian Civil War: 10 Things You Should Know,

Cuter, Thomas W. and McClellan, George Brinton. The Mexican War Diary and Correspondence of George B. McClellan. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press. 2009.

The e-book goes in to great detail concerning the development of a military rocket that was used during the siege of Vera Cruz. This attack was conducted by MAJ George Henry Talcott. The book goes on to say this development was somewhat of a spectacle but the usefulness of the military rocket was minimal. This e-book goes on to discuss the problems that the Americans had dealing with the Mexican defenders. It also talks about the American victory at Contreras and how this victory exposed Santa Anna’s flank to the west. This weakness forced the Mexicans to make a stand in the village of Churubusco and San Mateo Convent.

Foos, Paul. A Short, Offhand, Killing Affair: Soldiers and Social Conflict during the Mexican-American War. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. 2002.

The e-book goes in to great detail concerning the important national and international struggles that were encountered during the Mexican-American conflict. The Mexican-American conflict was a very pivotal encounter in the expansion of the west and was very critical in forming the social relations that would lay the foundation for “free labor” and capitalism in the United States during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Griswold del Castillo, Richard. World War II and Mexican American Civil Rights. Austin: University of Texas Press. 2008.

The e-book goes in to great detail concerning the American and Mexican organizations as well as the California labor organizations. This book also discusses the consciousness of the civil rights and the League of united Latin American citizens. The book goes on to discuss the identity of Americans and Mexicans alike. It also talks about the Zoot-Suit Riots and how this affected the civil rights movement.

Pinheiro, John C. Manifest Ambition: James K. Polk and Civil-military Relations during the Mexican War. In In War and in Peace. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group. 2007

The e-book goes in to great detail concerning the American efficiency and victory in the Mexican-American War. This book puts the American civil military relations of the Mexican-American War as among the best since the War of 1812. In order for the Americans to better assess the consequences in terms of recurrent themes, the recognition was that a larger, commercial America demanded a newer type of professional military. This newer military would have a very well educated officer corp

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