French+in+West+Africa

= __**French West Africa**__ =

**Early Contacts:**
Europeans direct contact with West African coastal peoples dates back to the 15th century AD when Portuguese traders landed in West Africa. This early contact was mostly a result of an increased intrest in trade, more advanced maritime capabilitys, and the age of exploration. Almost all the french contact throught the 15th and 16th centuries were on the coastal regions of west Africa, and were primarily for the purpouse of trade, although french missonarys were also deployed, and some exploration occurred.

**Time Line:**

 * 1830 || The French invasion of Algeria was commenced by Charles 10th of France. The attack was lead by Navel ships under the command of Admiral Duperre. This action caused the destruction of the Ottomen Empire (Turks) lead by Hussein Dey, Who had ruled for Three hundred years. This was a new beginning for a 132 year occupation of Algeria by France.

This action taken by France was able to gain them valuable land as well as sea shipping ports. Colonization soon followed with the French controlling the government and economy while Africans suffered in cruel conditions. Land was taken over for the rulers and European settlers moved in. ||
 * 1881 || France conquests Tunesia in Two phases. Beginning in 1881, the first invasion of this West African country occurred with the intent of securing the area before the signing of a treaty of protection. The second hostile action by France consisted of holding back a rebellion by force.

Significance of French conquest of Tunesia was supported by a weak local government, disabled by a lack of funds and outstanding debt to France. The French takeover of Tunesia was a power struggle for this territory neighboring Algeria, which was also under British and Italian influence. Once France established It’s powers in Tunesia, with Great Britain and Germany’s approval, it left the local citizens powerless politically. ||
 * 1884 || “Treaty of Tangiers”. This document was signed on September 10th, 1884. It was introduced to Morocco after a victory by the French (August 6th – August 14th, 1944). Morocco recognized Algeria as belonging to the French empire, in exchange for an end to French/Moroccan hostilities.

Treaty of Tangiers. By the terms of this agreement, Morocco agrees to aid in the capture of resistance leader Abd Al- Qadir and define an Algerian, Moroccan border. Al-Qadir controlled a large area and population of Algeria, approximately 2/3. He was opposed to the French settlers moving in therefore, his presence was an obstacle in France conquest for land. This rebellious leader finally surrendered in 1847 to French forces, leaving thousand to the mercy of the colonizers. ||
 * 1945 || May 8th, 1945. The Setif Massacre took place when French forces raised arms against peaceful protestors who were out parading about, carrying Anti-Colonization signs. Ironically, this slaughter occurred on the same day WWII German forces surrendered. The Massacre killed thousands of Muslims.

This act of Cruelty is the real beginning of the Algerian war for independence, are the feelings shared by some. European civilians and Police participated in mass executions, leaving Muslims calling for Jihad (Holy war). These activists separated and formulated a new party known as the “National Liberation Front” which in 1954 led the Algerian war for independence. ||
 * 1962 || Evian Accords: Is an agreement between the French and opposing rebel forces, which led to an independent Algeria.

Algerian war was due to resistive Algerian independence forces against France. This war led to a victory in Algeria gaining independence from France, Tactics such as Guerilla warfare and Terrorism were aimed at civilians. This momentous war is also known as a decolonization war.

Evian Accord : This agreement was negotiated by Charles de Gaulle after realizing that independent Algeria was assured. This act allowing total dominance to the formerly colonized citizens. This document represents a historic compromise and freedom after 132 years of colonial rule. ||

**Population:** Africa is the second largest continent in the world both in land and population. Today Africa is home to almost 20% of the world’s population with 1,030 million inhabitants. During the colonization of Africa many native Africans were forced out of their homes while many European settlers began to move into Africa. Although the exactly number of Africans that were shipped to Europe are unknown it is estimated that 10% of the population in a Portugal town Called Lisbon, were African slaves -Many french settlers moved into west africa reducing over crowding in France -Uncountable numbers a of Native Africans were forced to Europe to work as slaves. -The loss of the strongest and most intelligent africans to the slave trade was a devastating setback to the overall development of Africa
 * Positive:**
 * Negative:**

The Economic Well-Being of West Africa:
Because of the French rule, the economy in West Africa did not suffer because most of the Africans that wanted to become French did not revolt against this especially because there were “cost advantages”[1]. However, because they were assimilated, the Africans would have served in lower administrations, saving money to bring the Europeans to West Africa to fill their old positions. Negative impacts regarding the Europeans domination of the majority of West Africa, included that they had made North America the central trading centre. Because of this, many African citizens had to become slaves to the French.

Land and Resources:
African's resources are primarily made up of coffee, rice, cotton, palm oil, fruits, and cocoa. Farming and agriculture were a big part of African culture. One main concern with the French rule in West Africa was that is failed to rouse the economic factor in West Africa. There was a heavy demand for crops; mainly ground nuts commo nly found in Niger and areas surrounding. Another economic factor that rose up was education. Many students were receiving poor education, according to __The British museum .org__

Culture and Language:
West Africa has many rich cultures, but there a generally similarity’s in music, cuisine and dress that are not often seen out of the region. West Africa has many rich cultures, but there a generally similarity’s in music, cuisine and dress that are not often seen out of the region. The native peoples of West Africa were very generous to all who traveled to their region such as traders, historians, emigrants, missionaries and colonialists. This allowed for the travellers to experience indigenous food which contributed to the impact of West African cuisine on the Western world’s food. Many West African meals are enjoyed in places around the world, although the recipe is sometimes modified to suit local tastes. A staple in the coastal areas is fish. Fish is also enjoyed throughout West Africa along with meat, vegetables and fruit, which come from farms around the area. Most foods are fried of boiled, and rice is a staple throughout all of West Africa. There are over 2100 languages native to Africa, the Niger–Congo languages family is the most predominant indigenous language family in West Africa although it is also spoken in central and southeast Africa. As a result of European imperialism, Africa has more French speaking people than another continent.
 * Cuisine:**
 * Language: **

**Impact of Imperialism:**
BBC news estimates that from the 15th to the 19th century up to 12 million Africans were forced aboard European slave ships. If one were to travel to parts of Africa today the reproductions from this loss are still tremendously evident. Many towns are still without electricity and plumbing, instead water is fetched in plastic containers. Mohamed Shaibu Abdulai, a Ghanaian historian and lawyer raised the point that the loss of Africa's strongest men and women is a contributing factor in the underdevelopment of Africa's towns and cities. "During slavery many of the able-bodied people, between 18 and 40, were taken out so society's ability to reproduce itself economically, socially and culturally was impaired," said Zagba Oyortey who is a Ghanaian cultural historian. Recently the African people have begun to try to reignite the love and passion for their traditional culture that was looked down on and discriminated on for so many years. On the 200th anniversary of the end of slavery, Hugh Masekela a South African musician performed inside a slave fort with other musicians from the Caribbean, Britain, and across Africa. “Africa is the only society which imitates other cultures. In other parts of the world culture is put at the forefront every day. But we only do it at ceremonies," Masekela said.

Independence of West Africa
At the end of World War II, (around 1944), African citizens were now considered citizens (before this they were not). This meant that they could be a part of the participation of the government and could be represented in the French National Assembly. Because of the growth in West Africa, the colonies and parties were beginning to gain support. In 1956, and enabling law was accepted, and all the West African territories in 1960 became independent.

after the French rule.
 * < ===Positive Long term:=== ||< ===Negative Long term:=== ||
 * < -The country had gained independence

-Africa now has more French speaking people than any other continent ||< -Many towns are still with-out electricity and plumbing

- ||
 * < ===Positive Short term:=== ||< ===Negative short term:=== ||
 * < -The first contact made for a short-term trade

- ||< -The French did not do anything "spectacular" for the land

-It was said that students we're given a poor education

-15th through the 19th century, around 12 million Africans were forced to become European slaves ||

__1. "Not only did this serve the French government's need to demonstrate high moral purpose by "raising up the heathen," it also offered cost advantages. Africans who wanted to become French were not likely to revolt, so the French could do without expensive military garrisons to maintain order. Assimilated Africans also served in the lower levels of administration, saving the cost of bringing Europeans to Africa to fill their positions."__

References: (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_West_Africa Dinar, A. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.africa.upenn.edu/K-12/French_16178.html Jones, J. (2010). //French motivation for imperialism//. Retrieved from http://courses.wcupa.edu/jones/his312/lectures/fren-occ.htm (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_West_Africa Matt, B. (2012, 04) African Geography. (n.d.). //Ruper Thopkins//. Retrieved April 8, 2012, from www.ruperthopkins.com/pdf/African%20Geography%20002.pdf 2010, J. J., & Reserved), A. R. (n.d.). The French in West Africa . //West Chester University's - On-line Web Courses//. Retrieved April 5, 2012, from http://courses.wcupa.edu/jones/his312/lectures/fren-occ.htm