This book provides an historical, critical analysis of the doctrine of 'civilising mission' in Portuguese colonialism in the crucial period from 1870 to 1930. Exploring international contexts and transnational connections, this 'civilising mission' is analysed and assessed by examining the employment and distribution of African manpower.
"Miguel Bandeira Jerónimo's sophisticated and detailed study of the Portuguese 'civilising mission' in Africa is an especially welcome contribution to the field. ... This is a significant new addition to the literature on Portuguese Africa and it will be especially welcomed not only by Africanists but also labor historians as well as those focused on New Imperialism." (Timothy Coates, American Historical Review, Vol. 121 (4), October, 2016)