The book opens with a description of the third wave of protests in sub-Saharan Africa and summarizes two common interpretations of those events: 1) that they were Arab Spring offshoots in defense of democracy; and 2) that they were bread riots in response to poverty. I explain why both interpretations are unsatisfying, and present my own argument based on cross-class coalitions. Because my argument challenges preconceptions of a classless Africa, I pause to reflect on the value of class analysis in the study of African politics. I then elaborate on the mechanisms driving cross-class coalitions of protesters—specifically, “generals of the revolution” and “foot soldiers of the revolution.” The final sections outline my epistemology, the plan of the book, and the universe of study.