Africa's Freedom Railway: How a Chinese Development Project Changed Lives and Livelihoods in Tanzania

The TAZARA (Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority), or Freedom Railway, from Dar es Salaam on the Tanzanian coast to the Copperbelt region of Zambia, was instrumental in fostering one of the most sweeping development transitions in postcolonial Africa. Built during the height of the Cold War, the railway was intended to redirect the mineral wealth of the interior away from routes through South Africa and Rhodesia. Rebuffed by Western aid agencies, newly independent Tanzania and Zambia accepted help from China to construct what would become one of Africa's most vital transportation corridors. The book follows the railroad from design and construction to its daily use as a vital means for moving villagers and goods. It tells a story of how transnational interests contributed to environmental change, population movements, and the rise of local and regional enterprise.

Don't eat the oranges: they're laced with knockout drops. That's what Westerners hear, but there is far more to the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) story than expatriate anxieties. Built from 1970 to 1975 with assistance from the People's Republic of China, TAZARA was a major international development project embodying Third World solidarity during the Cold War. Designed to end African nations' dependence on the southern African line of rail and provide a secure outlet for landlocked Zambia's copper exports, the railroad became crucial to the transport needs and livelihoods of Tanzanians along its route. Despite fears of foreign sabotage, political struggles concerning TAZARA mostly protested closing of local stations in the 1990s. Drawing on 20 years of research in Tanzania, Monson (history, Carleton College) details TAZARA's planning, construction, and economic impact, along with changing settlement patterns, land use, and vegetation cover. The book's main shortcoming, literally, is brevity; it is mostly about Tanzania, and broadened coverage of China and Zambia would be welcome. Still, depth of material and analysis makes this essential for development studies and especially Chinese-African relations as the People's Republic expands involvement in the continent. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Academic and large public libraries, undergraduates and above. -- ChoiceT. P. Johnson, University of Massachusetts, Feb. 2011

"An important contribution to the expanding field of Sino-African Studies." --The China Quarterly

"Blessedly economical and unpretentious... no one else is capable of writing about this region with such nuance." --James Giblin, University of Iowa

"Africa's Freedom Railway is an insightful and well-informed book that bears testament to the experience of those Tanzanians and Chinese who worked on TAZARA railway as well as those whose lives have benefitted from its presence. By documenting the experience of those people affected by TAZARA, Monson effectively illustrates how the railway benefitted the majority of Tanzanians. Similarly, the book's wealth of sources enables Monson to write about contemporary Tanzania in a historical context, as TAZARA has shaped the present." --African Studies Quarterly

"The depth of material and analysis makes this essential for development studies and especially Chinese-African relations as the People's Republic expands involvement in the continent." --Choice Indiana University Press

"This insightful account of transnational infrastructure cooperation will no doubt be welcome reading not only for academics and students, but most importantly for African leaders who have to make critical development choices for the benefit of their own people." --American Historical Review

"Africa's Freedom Railway is a valuable addition to the social history of postcolonial Tanzania.... This book provides and excellent example to follow." --African History

"An extremely nuanced and textured history of negotiated interests that includes international stakeholders, local actors, and--importantly--early Chinese policies of development assistance." --James McCann, Boston University Indiana University Press

"An interesting account of a remarkable chapter in the chequered history of Tanzania's development." --Tanzanian Affairs

"[Africa's Freedom Railway] becomes the definitive multidisciplinary account.... [This book] is a model of transport historical geography.... [Monson] tells human stories about a massive transport project: its proponents, practitioners and petitioners take centre stage." --Journal of Transport Geography Indiana University Press

Jamie Monson is Professor of History at Macalester College. She is editor of Women as Food Producers in Developing Countries.

Contents

Acknowledgments

1. Introduction

Part 1. Freedom Railway

2. Railway Visions

3. Building the People's Railway

4. Living along the Railway

Part 2. Ordinary Train

5. The Ordinary Train

6. Landscape Visions

7. Conclusion

Appendix 1. Eight Principles Governing China's Economic and Technical Aid to Other Countries

Appendix 2. Parcel Shipments to and from Selected Rail Stations

Appendix 3. Land Cover Change, Kilombero Valley Study Area

Notes

Bibliography

Index