French+in+West+Africa

__**French in West Africa**__
Portuguese traders were the first to come into contact with the West African coastal peoples. These European links were made in the 15th century. Throughout this century, more European countries established trade connections in West Africa. These countries include the Spanish, Dutch, British and French. The reasons for these early contacts include increasing interest in trade and the spread of religion. The early contacts made by Europeans during the early 1500’s were concentrated on the coast of West Africa. Throughout this stage, the Europeans traded gold, wax, ivory, slaves and spices. West Africa contained much of the world’s gold. Therefore, trade relations between Europe and West Africa grew, as did Europe’s dependence on gold. The trade of slaves in West Africa began in the late 1500’s and ended in the middle of the 19thcentury. The capture and transfer of African slaves became essential for Europeans. The Portuguese took hundreds of Africans back to their country, resulting in the African Slave Trade. Between 1520 and 1562, the Spanish and English legalized the African Slave Trade, and it was being used throughout the whole coast of West Africa. Soon enough, the region's population and economy severely reduced. Rather than the Slave Trade, the French focused on nuts and raw materials found in West Africa. France had established a trade port at Senegal in 1659; however, their presence in West Africa did not significantly increase until in approximately the 1870’s. The French focused on nuts and raw materials found in West Africa. France’s contacts with West Africa were concentrated on the Senegal River and the area surrounding it. There, the French began assimilating Africans and started colonizing West Africa. Throughout the early 19th century, French settlers were experiencing difficulties settling in West Africa. This was a goal of France’s; however, those settling issues made it difficult to keep pursuing that goal. Therefore, the hope of developing West Africa was through French merchants and traders who wanted to expand farther into West Africa’s interior. As the British were also making contacts and competing for West Africa, France decided to push even farther into the savanna regions. This push was directed by General Louis Faidherbe, the Governor of Senegal. During France’s conquest of the interior, they came into contact with resistant forces such as the Moors. As a result, this made it more difficult for the French to expand. In 1885, the major European countries in Africa signed the Berlin Act. This act provided the process for how countries could define their regions. The French proceeded to control territories in West Africa and by 1890; they had signed treaties with a number of African leaders. By the 20th century, the French were in control of several territories in West Africa including Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Guinea, Ivory Coast and Niger. A governor-general was appointed to represent France. The colonies were represented by lieutenant-governors who reported to the governor-general. French West Africa was divided into administrative units, with each of these units administered by a district commissioner and then (chef de subdivision) locally. The French decided that attempting to assimilate West Africans would be too difficult as they would have to start programs and deal with tenacious Africans. Instead, the French chose to control them. The French would take resources from their colonies in West Africa and monitor their production of resources such as cotton, and groundnuts. The French colonizing West Africa was due to economic and commercial interests and an attempt to civilize. By the end of World War II, the people living in French West Africa were expressing their displeasure about the colonies. In 1944, the Brazzaville conference and new Constitution in France responded to African people’s dissatisfaction. African’s were now represented in the French National Assembly and could participate in local governance. Nationalism grew more in French West Africa. In addition, African parties started to gain support. The loi cadre (enabling law), was passed in 1956, which authorized local governments for territories in French West Africa. Finally, in 1960, all of the territories in West Africa gained independence.
 * History and Timeline**
 * Early Contacts**
 * The Expansion of French Interests – Begins in 1500's **
 * French Conquest of Interior – 19th Century **
 * French West Africa – 20th Century **
 * Independence in West Africa – 1960 **

__**Political Autonomy**__ __**Land and Resources**__ __**Economic Well-Being**__
 * Positive and negative impacts of imperialism on West Africa**
 * __Population__**
 * Positive**: During this time period, Europe's countries were very over-populated. When French settlers migrated to West Africa, population in France decreased. In addition, these French settlers helped populate the colonies in West Africa.
 * Negative:**The French settling in West Africa led to the spread of the French culture and religion. This then led to the loss of indigenous peoples culture in West Africa as more people assimilate.
 * Positive:** When all of the West African territories gained their independence in 1960, they also gained the freedom to have their own government, make their own descisions and practise culture and religions that they choose. They no longer had the French controlling them.
 * Negative:** The new nations in West Africa were faced with many difficulties as independent countries. They had to start a government quickly and had no economic, political, or social support from larger countries.
 * __Culture and Language__**
 * Positive:** Today, Africa has the most French speakers than any other continent. French is now a first language in upper class countries due to assimilation of France and Belgium. The language has had a huge impact on their lives mostly in positive ways.
 * Negative:** Africans were assimilated by the French culture, resulting in a loss of African culture and lifestyle. The French language has taken over parts of Africa in the modern day, showing how much the French culture had influenced their lives. France wanted a French Empire to promote French culture and would try to convert African citizens, making them follow French culture and civilization.
 * Positive:** The African's resources mostly consisted of rice, coffee, cotton, cocoa, palm oil and fruits. Agriculture was a big part of their culture. French government extended their knowledge about land and resource access for more development to the country's land.
 * Negative:** Land value being reduced is threatening Africans, because the opportunities for more land development is decreases as well. This is caused by bush fires, high population growth rates, and drought periods.
 * Positive:** Trade of resources helped African lifestyle. A number of new states were formed from trade with European countries and are now the most wealthy countries in Africa.
 * Negative:** African Empires ensured that North Africa was the main trade centre. Africans were used in a slave trade by French and Portuguese. Trade mostly benefit other countries because they received gold, ivory and slaves.

__**References**__ "French in West Africa." //African Studies Center, University of Pennsylvania//. Web. 23 Oct. 2011. []. "French West Africa." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Web. 23 Oct. 2011. []. "The French in West Africa." //West Chester University's - On-line Web Courses//. Web. 23 Oct. 2011. []. Bce, 400. "History of West Africa." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Web. 23 Oct. 2011. []. "The French in West Africa" "Western Africa and Land Resources" //United Nations Environment Programme.// August 25, 2008 []