Francophone Africa, Protest and Independence

Abstract

Just like other European nations, France assumed colonial control of stretches of territory in Africa, starting with Senegal in 1677 and gradually laying claim to other areas by the early twentieth century. French rule extended from North Africa to West Africa, Equatorial Africa, and African islands in the Indian Ocean. Colonial rule was meant to implement reforms which would modernize the ways of life, technology, administration, and culture of the supposedly primitive indigenous people. Conveniently, the territories also served as a market and source of raw materials for France. French rule in Africa, however, was not devoid of popular protests against colonial domination, especially as nationalists emerged around the mid‐twentieth century, clamoring for self‐determination and independence.