DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

It is a great pleasure to give respect to those who supported me in my journey towards completing my project. This dissertation would not have been possible without the guidance and help of several individuals and institutions who in one way or another contributed and extended their valuable assistance in its preparation and completion. First and foremost, I owe sincere thankfulness to my academic advisors, Professors Allen Isaacman and Helena Pohlandt-McComirk. With their generosity and untiring support, they did not only guide me through the whole process of dissertation research and writing. Most importantly, they made me believe in myself. I am sure that this dissertation would not have been possible without their support, understanding and steadfast encouragement. Secondly, I am humbled by the financial and collegial support I received from the Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change (ICGC) and the History Department at the University of Minnesota. Their assistance was very invaluable in the completion of the dissertation. The full funding I received from the ICGC and the History Department contributed immensely to my entire intellectual development and for that