European empires in Africa

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Timeline: European empires in Africa

Years: 1415 - 1990	Subject: History, Regional and National History
Publisher: HistoryWorld	Online Publication Date: 2012
Current online version: 2012	eISBN: 9780191737589

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BCE CE

Year	Event
1415	A Portuguese prince, Henry the Navigator, becomes fascinated by exploration down the coast of Africa and commissions successive voyages Go to Henry the Navigator (1394–1460) in The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Exploration European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Africa Europe Portugal Society Empires
c. 1420	The Portuguese, discovering the lush and uninhabited island of Madeira, send colonists to settle it Go to Madeira in The Oxford Companion to Architecture (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Africa Europe Portugal Empires
c. 1427	A Portuguese captain, sailing for Henry the Navigator, chances upon the Azores Go to Azores in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century European empires from 1415 Africa Europe Portugal Empires
1439	Portuguese settlers are sent to the unoccupied islands of the Azores Go to Azores in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century European empires from 1415 Africa Europe Portugal Empires
1446	Portugal claims ownership of the region of Guinea, subsequently the centre of their slave trade on the west African coast Go to slave trade, African in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry Slavery European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Africa West Africa Europe Society Empires
c. 1450	The caravel, a sailing ship developed in the Mediterranean and used down the west coast of Africa, is adapted by the Portuguese for Atlantic use Go to caravel in The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Travel and transport European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Africa Europe Portugal Society Empires
1456	A Portuguese navigator discovers some of the Cape Verde islands, tropical and at that time uninhabited Go to Cape Verde in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century European empires from 1415 Africa Europe Portugal Empires
1462	Portuguese settlers arrive to found Cidade Velha, on the Cape Verde island of Santiago Go to Cape Verde in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century European empires from 1415 Africa Europe Portugal Empires
1466	The Portuguese settlers on the Cape Verde islands are granted a monopoly on the new slave trade Go to Cape Verde in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Slavery European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Africa West Africa Europe Society Empires
1483	The Portuguese establish a further presence on the west coast of Africa, at the mouth of the Congo river Go to Congo in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1488	Bartolomeu Dias, sailing for the king of Portugal, becomes the first European navigator to round the Cape of Good Hope Go to Cape of Good Hope in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Exploration European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Society Empires
c. 1500	The Portuguese establish trading posts in east Africa, on the coast of Mozambique Go to Mozambique in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century 16th century Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Africa South Africa Europe Society Empires
1503	The Portuguese set up a trading post on the east African island of Zanzibar Go to Zanzibar in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Africa East Africa Europe Society Empires
c. 1550	Africans, bought in the Portuguese trading posts of west Africa, are shipped across the Atlantic as slaves Go to slave trade, African in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Slavery European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Africa West Africa Europe Society Empires Latin America
1638	The French build a trading station on the estuary of the Senegal river in west Africa Go to Senegal River in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry European empires from 1415 French empire Africa West Africa Europe Society Empires
1652	Jan van Riebeeck establishes a Dutch settlement at the Cape of Good Hope Go to Riebeeck, Jan van (1610–77) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization Dutch empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires
1657	The Dutch in South Africa purchase slaves to do domestic and agricultural work Go to Dutch East India Company in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization Slavery Dutch empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Society Empires
1698	A fleet from Oman evicts the Portuguese from Mombasa and Zanzibar Go to Mombasa in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires
c. 1770	The triangular trade, controlled from Liverpool, ships millions of Africans across the Atlantic as slaves Go to slave trade, African in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Migration Slavery Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Society Empires Britain Latin America North America
c. 1775	Dutch nomads, pressing far north from Cape Town, become known as the Trekboers Go to Afrikaner in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Exploration Dutch empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Society Empires
1787	A British ship lands a party of freed slaves as the first modern settlers in Sierra Leone, on the west coast of Africa Go to Sierra Leone in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Migration Slavery European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Society Empires
c. 1795	Dutch Boers begin calling themselves Afrikaners, to emphasize that Africa is their native land Go to Afrikaner in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Social and domestic Dutch empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa Europe Society Empires Mungo Park sets off on his first expedition to explore the Niger on behalf of the African Association Go to Park, Mungo (1771–1806) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Exploration British empire European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Germany Society Empires With the Dutch entering the war on the side of the French, Britain seizes their valuable Cape colony in South Africa Go to Cape Colony in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolutionary Wars Politics Conquest and colonization War British empire Dutch empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions
1802	The Treaty of Amiens restores the Cape of Good Hope to the Netherlands Go to Amiens, treaty of (1802) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire Dutch empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires
1806	The British recapture the Cape of Good Hope from the Dutch Go to Cape of Good Hope in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization War British empire Dutch empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions
1808	The British government uses Freetown, in Sierra Leone, as a base in the fight against the slave trade Go to Freetown (Antigua, The Bahamas, Canada, Jamaica, Sierra Leone, USA) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Slavery European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Society Empires
1809	The British impose the so-called Hottentot Code, protecting Africans at the Cape but also tying them to employers' farms Go to Hottentot in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires
1816	The British establish Bathurst (now Banjul) at the mouth of the Gambia as a base against the slave trade Go to Banjul (The Gambia) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Slavery European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Society Empires
1820	The first big influx of British settlers, numbering some 5000, arrives at Cape Town in South Africa Go to Cape of Good Hope in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires
1821	The American Colonization Society buys the area later known as Liberia to settle freed slaves Go to American Colonization Society in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Migration Slavery European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Society Empires
1822	The first shipload of freed slaves reaches Cape Mesurado (in the region soon called Liberia) from the USA Go to Liberia (and Costa Rica) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Migration Slavery European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Society Empires
1827	The Turkish governor of Algiers, flicking at the French consul with his fly whisk, finds that he has provoked a French blockade and eventually invasion Go to Algeria in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization Turks European empires from 1415 French empire Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1830	Richard Lander and his brother John explore the lower reaches of the Niger, proving that the great river is navigable Go to Lander, Richard Lemon (1804–34) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Exploration British empire European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Germany Society Empires A French army invades Algeria, beginning the process which brings the region within the French empire Go to Algeria in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1832	The paddle steamer Alburkah becomes the first ocean-going iron ship, completing the journey from England to the Niger Go to paddle steamer noun in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Steam Exploration Technology Engineering European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Germany Society Empires
1836	Hendrik Potgieter sets off with some 200 Boers and their cattle at the start of the Great Trek to the north Go to Great Trek (1835–40) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires The Portuguese ban the shipping of slaves from the coast of Angola Go to slave trade, African in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Slavery Dutch empire European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Africa South Africa Europe Portugal Society Empires Hendrik Potgieter and the Boers, protected by a laager at Vegkop, hold off an attack by a large force of Ndebele tribesmen Go to Great Trek (1835–40) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires
1837	After a victory at Vegkop, Boers massacre the inhabitants of a dozen Ndebele villages in secret dawn raids Go to Great Trek (1835–40) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires Piet Retief emerges as the new leader of the Great Trek, replacing Potgieter Go to Great Trek (1835–40) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires Potgieter defeats the Ndebele at the Marico river and drives them north of the Limpopo Go to Great Trek, the in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires Piet Retief reaches a provisional agreement with Dingaan, the Zulu leader, for a Boer settlement in southern Natal Go to Dingaan (1843) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires
1838	During a ceremony to celebrate their treaty with Dingaan, Piet Retief and his Boer companions are overpowered and killed Go to Dingaan (1843) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires Dingaan's warriors massacre Boer families in a series of dawn raids near the Bloukrans river Go to Dingaan (1843) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires The river Ncome becomes known as the Blood River after thousands of Zulu die attacking Andries Pretorius and the Boers Go to Blood River, Battle of (16 December 1838) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires
1839	Abd-el-Kader proclaims a holy war against the French in Algeria and begins a military campaign that will last for eight years Go to Abd al-Qadir (1883) in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization War European empires from 1415 French empire Africa North Africa Europe Empires Andries Pretorius sets up the Boer republic of Natalia, with its capital at Pietermaritzburg Go to Pretorius, Andries (1799–1853) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires
c. 1841	Britain sends four naval ships up the river Niger to make anti-slavery treaties with local kings Go to Buxton, Thomas Fowell (1786–1845) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Slavery British empire European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Germany Society Empires
1843	The British take control of the existing Boer republic and proclaim Natal a British protectorate Go to Natal in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires
1847	Pretorius leads the last Boer families out of Natal and over the Drakensberg to the high veld Go to Pretorius, Andries (1799–1853) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires Liberia wins independence and international recognition as a republic Go to Liberia in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Empires
1848	Harry Smith annexes for Britain the land between the Orange and Vaal rivers, calling it the Orange River Sovereignty Go to Free State in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires
1850	The British government buys the Danish fortresses on the Gold Coast, including Christiansborg castle in Accra Go to Ghana in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Denmark Empires
1854	The Boers establish the Orange Free State as an independent republic, with its own custom-built constitution Go to Free State in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires
1857	The Boers of the southern Transvaal declare independence as the South African Republic Go to South Africa, Republic of in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires
1861	Lagos, on the coast of Nigeria, is annexed as a British colony when the royal family prove unable or unwilling to end the slave trade Go to Lagos in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization Slavery British empire European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Germany Society Empires
1868	Britain annexes Basutoland (now Lesotho), the kingdom of the Sotho leader Moshoeshoe Go to Lesotho in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa Europe Empires
1869	Britain, France and Italy take joint control of the finances of a bankrupt Tunisia Go to imperialism in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 French empire Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1871	18-year-old English entrepreneur Cecil Rhodes, on a temporary visit to South Africa, arrives in the new diamond town of Kimberley Go to Rhodes, Cecil (1853–1902) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires
1874	The southern region of present-day Ghana becomes a British colony, to be known as the Gold Coast Go to Ghana in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Empires
1876	Leopold II hosts a conference in Brussels on the subject of opening up the African continent Go to Brussels Geographical Conference in The Oxford Companion to World Exploration (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa Europe Belgium Empires
1877	Britain annexes the Boer republic in the Transvaal Go to Transvaal in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires Stanley completes his exploration of the Congo, reaching the Atlantic coast at Boma after a three-year journey Go to Stanley, Sir Henry Morton (1841–1904) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Exploration British empire European empires from 1415 Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Society Empires
1878	Stanley agrees to work for Leopold II in opening up the Congo river to commerce Go to Leopold II (1835–1909) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Britain 1750-1900 Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles European empires from 1415 Africa Europe Society Empires Britain
1879	The British find a pretext to march into the territory ruled by Cetshwayo, thus launching the Zulu War Go to Zulu War (1879) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization War British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires Zulu tribesmen surprise and annihilate a British army encamped near Isandhlwana Go to Isandhlwana, Battle of (22 January 1879) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization War British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires Immediately after Isandhlwana a tiny British garrison at Rorke's Drift fights off an overwhelming Zulu attack Go to Isandhlwana, Battle of (22 January 1879) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization War British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires George Goldie and British traders on the Niger form the United African Company (later the Royal Niger Company) to consolidate their interests Go to Concessionary Companies in Africa in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Commerce and industry British empire European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Germany Society Empires The British destruction of Cetshwayo's kraal at Ulundi ends the Zulu War Go to Ulundi, battle of (1879) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization War British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires
1880	French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza forestalls Stanley in opening up the Congo, reaching Stanley Pool ahead of him Go to Brazza, Pierre Savorgnan de (1852–1905) in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry European empires from 1415 Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Society Empires
1881	The Boers inflict a convincing defeat on a British army at Majuba, in the Transvaal Go to Majuba Hill, battle of (1881) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era War Battles British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires France invades Tunisia from Algeria, and in the Treaty of Bardo forces the bey of Tunis to accept the status of a French protectorate Go to Tunisia, French conquest of (1881–1911) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa North Africa Europe Empires Stanley finds Brazza's French tricolor already flying on the north bank of the Congo, on the site of what later becomes Brazzaville Go to Brazza, Pierre Savorgnan de (1852–1905) in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry European empires from 1415 Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Society Empires
1882	Stanley establishes a foothold for Leopold II on the southern bank of the Congo, at a site which he names Leopoldville (now Kinshasa) Go to Stanley, Sir Henry Morton (1841–1904) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry European empires from 1415 Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Society Empires Anti-western riots in Alexandria result in many deaths and provoke a British invasion Go to Arabi Pasha (1839–1911) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization Alexandria British empire European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Egypt Europe Empires
1883	French marines land at Tamatave in Madagascar to protect French interests and assert French control Go to French empire in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa South Africa Europe Empires
1884	General Gordon marches south to protect Khartoum from the advancing forces of the Mahdi Go to Gordon, Charles George (1833–85) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires Bismarck launches the colonial scramble for Africa by suddenly annexing three territories for Germany (Togo, Cameroon and Angria Pequena) Go to Africa, partition of in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 German empire Africa West Africa Europe Germany Empires The Boer republic in the Transvaal regains its independence from Britain Go to Kruger, Paul (1825–1904) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires Gustav Nachtigal arrives in Togo and persuades local chiefs to accept the protection of the German emperor Go to German Second empire (1871–1918) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 German empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires Gustav Nachtigal, moving on to Cameroon, annexes this region too for the new German empire Go to German Second empire (1871–1918) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 German empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires Karl Peters hurries round east Africa persuading chiefs to accept the German emperor as their protector Go to Peters, Karl (1856–1918) in The Oxford Companion to World Exploration (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 German empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires British general Garnet Wolseley sails from London on a mission to rescue Gordon, trapped by the Mahdi in Khartoum Go to Gordon relief expedition (1884–5) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires Bismarck invites the European powers to a West Africa Conference in Berlin Go to Berlin Conference of 1884–1885 in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 German empire Africa West Africa Europe Germany Empires Spain begins to colonize the Western Sahara, subsequently known as the Spanish Sahara Go to Western Sahara in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1885	Bismarck grants Karl Peters a charter to rule a German protectorate in east Africa Go to Peters, Karl (1856–1918) in The Oxford Companion to World Exploration (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 German empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires Britain annexes Bechuanaland as a protectorate, to secure the route north from the Cape into central Africa Go to Botswana in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa Europe Empires Italian troops occupy Eritrea, a province of Ethiopia Go to Asmara, Eritrea in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Ethiopia Europe Empires German warships arrive in Zanzibar harbour to persuade the sultan to cede territory to the Kaiser, William I Go to Zanzibar (Tanzania) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 German empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1886	Germany and Britain define neighbouring spheres of interest in east Africa Go to Africa, partition of in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 German empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires The German and British agreement in east Africa creates the present-day boundary between Tanzania and Kenya Go to Scramble for Africa in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 German empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1887	A gathering of leaders from the British empire holds a colonial conference in London to coincide with Queen Victoria's jubilee Go to imperial conferences in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Britain 1750-1900 Politics Conquest and colonization Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British empire European empires from 1415 Africa Europe Empires Britain
1888	The Ndebele chieftain, Lobengula, grants Rhodes mining rights in what is now Zimbabwe Go to British South Africa Company in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry British empire European empires from 1415 Zimbabwe Africa South Africa Europe Society Empires The Imperial British East Africa Company is given a charter to administer Kenya and Uganda Go to Concessionary Companies in Africa in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1889	Cecil Rhodes forms the British South Africa Company to push British commerce and imperial control further north Go to British South Africa Company in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Society Empires France and Britain agree colonial boundaries for Senegal and Gambia in west Africa Go to Gambia, The in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 French empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires In the treaty of Uccialli, Menelik II cedes the Ethiopian province of Eritrea to Italy Go to Menelik II (1844–1913) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Ethiopia Europe Empires
1890	Cecil Rhodes sends colonists to settle the newly won colony of Rhodesia Go to Rhodesia in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Zimbabwe Africa South Africa Europe Empires Zanzibar, under its Arab sultan, is declared a British protectorate Go to Zanzibar in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1891	Germany takes direct control of German East Africa as a protectorate Go to Tanzania in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 German empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires Rhodes wins the right to administer the region from the Zambezi up to Lake Tanganyika, forming present-day Zambia Go to Rhodesia in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa Europe Empires Britain cedes the tiny island of Heligoland to Germany in return for vast areas of Africa Go to Heligoland (Schleswig-Holstein/Germany) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Britain 1750-1900 Politics Conquest and colonization Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British empire European empires from 1415 German empire Africa Europe Germany Empires Britain
1892	Frederick Lugard's Maxim machine gun settles a Protestant-Catholic clash in Kampala, the capital of Buganda Go to Maxim, Sir Hiram S. in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization Weapons British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires The French establish a protectorate in part of the ancient kingdom of Dahomey in west Africa Go to Dahomey expedition (1892–4) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires
1893	France claims the Ivory Coast (or Côte d'Ivoire) in west Africa as a French colony Go to Côte d'Ivoire in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires Leander Jameson, finding a pretext for war, drives Lobengula out of his kingdom in Rhodesia Go to Lobengula (c. 1836–94) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization War British empire European empires from 1415 Zimbabwe Africa South Africa Europe Empires The British Central African Protectorate is set up in the region of present-day Malawi Go to Malawi in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa Europe Empires
1895	The territory south of the Zambezi is given the name Rhodesia, in honour of the man who has colonized it Go to Rhodesia in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Zimbabwe Africa South Africa Europe Empires Khama III, the king of Bechuanaland, travels to London to demand the continuing protection of the British crown Go to Khama III (1837?–1923) in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa Europe Empires The British government takes responsibility for Kenya, as the East Africa Protectorate Go to Kenya in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires Leander Jameson leads a disastrous raid into the Transvaal, in an attempt to topple Paul Kruger's government Go to Jameson Raid (1895) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires
1896	Cecil Rhodes' involvement with the Jameson raid forces his resignation as the Cape Colony prime minister Go to Jameson Raid (1895) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires The Ethiopian emperor, Menelik II, inflicts a shattering defeat on Italian forces at Aduwa Go to Menelik II (1844–1913) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization War European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Ethiopia Europe Empires Britain unites Buganda and three other kingdoms into the single Uganda Protectorate Go to Uganda in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires Italy, one of the local colonial powers, accepts Ethiopia's claim to the Ogaden region of the Somali territory Go to Menelik II (1844–1913) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Ethiopia Europe Empires
1897	Zululand, annexed by Britain in 1887, is now merged with the colony of Natal Go to Zululand (KwaZulu-Natal/South Africa) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires Paul Kruger, prime minister of the Transvaal, forms an alliance with the other Boer republic, the Orange Free State Go to Kruger, Paul (1825–1904) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires The UK colonial secretary, Joseph Chamberlain, appoints enthusiastic imperialist Alfred Milner as high commissioner in South Africa Go to Milner, Alfred (1854–1925) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires Germany claims Ruanda and Urundi as a joint colony adjacent to German East Africa Go to German East Africa in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 German empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires The French exile the queen of Madagascar and claim the island as a French colony Go to French empire in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa South Africa Europe Empires The British burn Benin City in a punitive expedition after members of a British delegation are murdered Go to Benin, Kingdom of in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Empires
1898	French and British forces meet at Fashoda, in a potentially explosive incident in the scramble for Africa Go to Fashoda crisis (1898) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 French empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires Kitchener's victory at Omdurman brings to an end thirteen years of rule in Sudan by followers of the Mahdi Go to Omdurman, battle of (2 September 1898) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1899	The Sudan begins half a century of supposedly joint rule by Britain and Egypt Go to Sudan in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires Mohammed ibn Abdullah (the Mad Mullah in British eyes) leads an uprising in British Somaliland Go to Hasan, Muhammad Abdille Sayyid (1864–1920) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1900	Paul Kruger flees after the British take Pretoria and annexe both the Boer republics Go to Kruger, Stephanus Johannes Paulus (1825–1904) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires The relief of Mafeking ends a long siege which brings fame to the British commander of the garrison, Robert Baden-Powell Go to Mafeking, siege of (1899–1900) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century 1900s 20th century Politics War European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires The British government assumes direct responsibility for the entire region of Nigeria, previously entrusted to a commercial company Go to Nigeria in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Germany Empires
1901	Thousands of women and children die in the concentration camps used by the British army for displaced Boer families Go to Boer Wars (1880–81) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Edwardian era 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires
1902	A treaty at Vereeniging ends the Boer War and brings the Boer republics under British control Go to Vereeniging, treaty of in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Edwardian era 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires After the defeat of neighbouring Transvaal in the Boer War, the British take sole control of Swaziland Go to Swaziland in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Edwardian era 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa Europe Empires
1903	Edward VII, the first British monarch to travel to India, holds a great coronation durbar in Delhi Go to Edward VII (1841–1910) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Edwardian era 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War British empire European empires from 1415 British monarchs - from 1066 Africa Asia South Asia India (the subcontinent) India (republic) Europe Empires Rulers and politicians Roger Casement, British consul in the Congo Free State, discovers appalling abuses by Belgian companies Go to Casement, Sir Roger (1864–1916) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Edwardian era 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War European empires from 1415 Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1904	A violent uprising by Herero warriors in South West Africa targets male Germans of military age Go to Herero Wars (1904–08) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 German empire Africa South Africa Europe Empires The German general Lothar von Trotha drives 8000 Herrero people to slow death in the Kalahari desert Go to Herero Wars (1904–08) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 German empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires
1905	Transvaal politician Louis Botha forms Het Volk ('The People'), a party committed to Afrikaner self-government Go to Botha, Louis (1862–1919) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Edwardian era 1900s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent War European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires Kaiser Wilhelm II visits Tangier in support of Moroccan independence, causing a diplomatic crisis with the colonial powers France and Britain Go to Moroccan Crisis, First (1905) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Edwardian era 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War British empire European empires from 1415 French empire German empire Africa North Africa Europe Empires The Maji-Maji rising results in alarming outbreaks of violence in German East Africa Go to Maji-Maji in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 German empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires The German commander in east Africa uses famine as a means of ending the Maji-Maji rising Go to Maji-Maji in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 German empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1906	An international conference at Algeciras effectively gives France informal control of Morocco Go to Algeciras, Conference of (1906) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa North Africa Europe Empires Transvaal is given the self-governing status promised in the treaty ending the Boer War Go to Vereeniging, treaty of in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Edwardian era 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires
1908	International outrage at Congo atrocities forces Belgium to annexe King Leopold's private colony Go to Leopold II (1835–1909) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Belgium Empires
1909	National delegates from the four provincial parliaments draw up a draft constitution for a South African union Go to South Africa in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Edwardian era 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires Mineral discoveries on the border of Northern Rhodesia and the Belgian Congo give the first hint of the riches of the Copper Belt Go to Zambia in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Commerce and industry European empires from 1415 Zimbabwe Africa Central Africa East Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Society Empires
1910	The Union of South Africa becomes an independent dominion within the British empire Go to South Africa in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires Three French colonies south of the Sahara are consolidated as French Equatorial Africa Go to French Equatorial Africa in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1911	Italy finds a reason to invade Libya, a province of the Turkish empire. Go to Libya in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization Turks European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Italy Empires Copper mining begins in Katanga, soon to be followed by the extraction of even more profitable diamonds Go to Katanga (Democratic Republic of the Congo) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Commerce and industry European empires from 1415 Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Society Empires
1912	By the treaty of Fès a French protectorate is formally established in Morocco Go to Morocco in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa North Africa Europe Empires France and Spain agree that Spain shall become the colonial power in the north of Morocco and France in the south Go to Morocco in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Spanish empire Africa North Africa Europe Empires The South African National Native Congress (subsequently the ANC, African National Congress) is set up in Cape Province Go to ANC in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires
1914	British rule is consolidated in Nigeria by the merging of north and south as a single colony Go to Nigeria in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Germany Empires The British government changes the status of Egypt from a Turkish province to a British protectorate Go to Egypt in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization Turks British empire European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Egypt Europe Empires August - British and French forces invade the German colony of Togoland Go to Togoland in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War European empires from 1415 German empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires Wars since 1900
1915	February - British and French forces invade and capture the German colony of Cameroon Go to Cameroon in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War European empires from 1415 German empire Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Empires Wars since 1900 July - South African troops capture German South West Africa Go to Namibia in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War European empires from 1415 German empire Africa South Africa Europe Empires Wars since 1900
1916	British and French forces win full control of the German colonies of Togoland and Cameroon Go to Togoland in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War European empires from 1415 German empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires Wars since 1900 June 17 - Belgian troops from the Congo occupy the German colony of Ruanda-Urundi Go to Burundi in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War European empires from 1415 German empire Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Empires Wars since 1900
1918	Wafd, a national party, is formed in Cairo with the purpose of ending Egypt's enforced link with Britain Go to Wafd in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Egypt Europe Empires November 23 - Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, commander of the German army in East Africa, surrenders after four stubborn years of resistance Go to Lettow-Vorbeck, Gen Paul Emil von (1870–1964) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War European empires from 1415 German empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires Wars since 1900
1919	More than 300 die when British troops fire on a peaceful demonstration in Amritsar Go to Amritsar Massacres (1919) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa Asia South Asia India (the subcontinent) India (republic) Europe Empires The League of Nations makes South West Africa (Namibia) a mandated British territory, to be administered by South Africa Go to Namibia in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century Politics War European empires from 1415 German empire Africa North Africa Europe Empires Wars since 1900 June 28 - German East Africa is to be governed by Britain as Tanganyika, under a League of Nations mandate Go to Tanzania in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century Politics War European empires from 1415 German empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires Wars since 1900
1920	Destour is formed as a nationalist party in Tunisia, demanding full independence from France Go to Destour in The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1921	The Young Kikuyu Association is formed in Kenya, to fight for African rights and the restoration of Kikuyu land Go to Kenya in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires Abd-el-Krim wins a sensational victory over Spanish forces in Morocco and gains control of the Rif Go to Abd el‐Krim (1881–1963) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century War European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1922	Egypt becomes an independent kingdom, subject to a British military presence to protect the Suez canal Go to Suez Canal in The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Egypt Europe Empires The League of Nations gives France and Britain mandates to govern separate areas of the German colony of Cameroon Go to Cameroon in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 German empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires France and Britain are given a League of Nations mandate to govern separate areas of the German colony of Togoland Go to Togoland in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 German empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires
1923	The African National Congress (ANC) is formed in South Africa by renaming the South African National Native Congress Go to ANC in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires Rhodesia becomes a self-governing colony with political power exclusively in the hands of European settlers Go to Rhodesia in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics British empire European empires from 1415 Zimbabwe Africa South Africa Europe Empires
1924	The League of Nations grants Belgium a mandate to administer the former Germany colony of Ruanda-Urundi Go to Burundi in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 German empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires The British government takes on the administration of Northern Rhodesia from the British South Africa Company Go to Rhodesia in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa Europe Empires
1926	The Balfour Report, by former UK prime minister A.J. Balfour, suggests the way forward for the British Commonwealth of Nations Go to Balfour Report in Oxford Companion to Australian Politics (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British empire European empires from 1415 British prime ministers - from 1830 Africa Europe Empires Rulers and politicians Britain
1928	Jomo Kenyatta becomes the editor of Muigwithania, the newspaper of the Kikuyu Central Association Go to Kenyatta, Jomo (b. 10 Oct) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1933	The Hutus and Tutsis of Ruanda-Urundi are issued with racial identity cards by the Belgians Go to Hutu and Tutsi in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1934	Neo-Destour, a party demanding Tunisian independence, has Habib Bourguiba as its secretary general Go to Bourguiba, Habib (1903–2000) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1935	Mussolini uses a disagreement over grazing rights as a pretext for an empire-building invasion of Ethiopia Go to Abyssinia, Italian invasion of (1935–6) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Politics War European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Ethiopia Europe Italy Empires
1936	The Italian forces invading Ethiopia reach Addis Ababa, and Haile Selassie flees into exile Go to Haile Selassie (1892–1975) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century War European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Ethiopia Europe Empires
1941	January 22 - Archibald Wavell's Allied divisions, after a rapid desert campaign, drive the Italians from the Libyan port of Tobruk Go to Tobruk, Siege of (Apr. 1941–June 1942) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Empires Wars since 1900 April 6 - the Allies recover Ethiopia from the Italians and Haile Selassie returns to his throne in Addis Ababa Go to Abyssinia, WW II campaign in (1941) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Ethiopia Europe Empires Wars since 1900
1942	Algerian nationalist Ferhat Abbas produces a manifesto demanding independence from France Go to Abbas, Ferhat (b. 24 Oct. 1899) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Empires
c. 1945	Gamal Abdel Nasser and army colleagues form a secret party, the Free Officers, to fight for an independent Egyptian republic Go to Nasser, Gamal Abdel (1918–1970) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Egypt Europe Empires Demonstrations in Algeria spark off an uprising against French rule, which is put down with the loss of perhaps 10,000 Muslim lives Go to Parti du Peuple Algérien in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1950	The British government bans hereditary ruler Seretse Khama from Bechuanaland because he has married a white woman Go to Khama, Sir Seretse (1921–80) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa Europe Empires
1951	Libya wins independence from Italy, as a kingdom with Idris I as head of state Go to Libya in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1952	Kwame Nkrumah, recently released from gaol, becomes prime minister of the British colony of the Gold Coast Go to Nkrumah, Kwame (c. 1909–1972) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Empires A group of officers led by Gamal Abdel Nasser depose Egypt's king, Farouk, and send him into exile Go to Nasser, Gamal Abdel (1918–1970) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Egypt Europe Empires Ahmed Ben Bella forms the Front de Libération National (FLN) to fight for Algerian independence Go to Ben Bella, Mohammed Ahmed (25 Dec. 1916) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Empires An outbreak of terrorism in Kenya is orchestrated by a secret Kikuyu organization, the Mau Mau Go to Mau Mau (1952–9) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Terrorism and assassination British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1953	Jomo Kenyatta, charged with having organized the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya, is sentenced to seven years in prison Go to Kenyatta, Jomo (1894?–1978) in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires The two Rhodesias and Nyasaland are merged in the self-governing Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland Go to Central African Federation in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics British empire European empires from 1415 Zimbabwe Africa South Africa Europe Empires
1954	A radical manifesto and acts of terrorism alert the world to the emergence of the FLN, committed to independence for Algeria Go to Front de Libération nationale in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Terrorism and assassination European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1955	An armed uprising in Morocco persuades France to accept the principle of independence for the colony Go to Morocco in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1956	The Sudan, declining the opportunity of union with Egypt, opts for independence as a separate state Go to Sudan in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires Tunisia wins independence from France, with Habib Bourguiba as prime minister Go to Tunisia in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Empires French Morocco and Spanish Morocco win independence from the two colonial powers Go to Morocco in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Spanish empire Africa North Africa Europe Empires After a plebiscite British Togo is merged with the neighbouring colony of the Gold Coast Go to Togo in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Empires
1957	Kwame Nkrumah leads the Gold Coast into independence under a name of historic resonance, Ghana Go to Ghana in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Empires The FNLA is established, with US support, as a guerrilla group to fight for a non-communist independent Angola Go to Angola in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics War European empires from 1415 Cold war Africa South Africa Europe Empires Wars since 1900
1958	French Algerians seize government buildings in Algiers, in a campaign to ensure that Algerian remains French Go to Algerian War of Independence (1954–62) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Empires On his second day in power, de Gaulle visits Algiers to confront the settlers with an unwelcome message Go to Gaulle, Charles de (b. 22 Nov. 1890) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe France Empires The colony of French Guinea opts for immediate independence as the republic of Guinea, breaking its links with France Go to Guinea in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires
1960	UK prime minister Harold Macmillan, in Cape Town, warns the white settlers of Africa that 'the wind of change' is blowing through their continent See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion European empires from 1415 British prime ministers - from 1830 Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Europe Empires Rulers and politicians French Cameroun becomes independent as the republic of Cameroun, with Ahmadou Ahidjo as the first president Go to Cameroon in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Empires Kenneth Kaunda is elected president of UNIP, a new party fighting for an independent Northern Rhodesia Go to Kaunda, Kenneth David (1924– ) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa Europe Empires French Togo becomes independent as the republic of Togo, with Sylvanus Olympio as president Go to Togo in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires French Sudan becomes independent as the republic of Mali, with Modibo Keita as president Go to Mali in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires Madagascar becomes independent (under the name Malagasy republic from till 1975), with Philibert Tsiranana as president Go to Madagascar in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa Europe Empires Patrice Lumumba becomes prime minister of the newly independent Democratic Republic of the Congo, previously the Belgian Congo Go to Lumumba, Patrice Emergy (b. 2 July 1925) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Empires The South West Africa People's Organization is founded to fight against South African control of Namibia Go to South West Africa People's Organization in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa Europe Empires British and Italian colonies merge as the independent Somali republic, also known as Somalia, with Aden Abdullah Osman as president Go to Somalia in The Oxford Companion to the Politics of the World (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires Anti-European riots in the Congo cause some 25,000 Belgians to flee the country Go to Congo crisis (1960–65) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Social and domestic European empires from 1415 Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Society Empires The French colony of Dahomey (known from 1975 as Benin) becomes independent but suffers six military coups in its first twelve years Go to Benin in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires Niger becomes independent, with Hamani Diori as the new nation's first president Go to Niger in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Germany Empires Kenyatta, still in prison, is elected leader of KANU, a new political party in Kenya Go to Kenya in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires The French colony of Upper Volta becomes independent as Burkina Faso, with Maurice Yaméogo as president Go to Burkina Faso in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires Félix Houphouët-Boigny, first president of the newly independent Ivory Coast, begins thirty-three years of relatively peaceful rule Go to Ivory Coast in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Empires The French colony of Chad becomes independent with François Tombalbaye as president Go to Chad in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Empires The French colony of Gabon becomes independent with Léon M'ba as president Go to Gabon in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Empires The French colony of Ubangi-Shari becomes independent and takes the name Central African Republic Go to Central African Republic in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Empires The French Congo becomes independent as the republic of Congo, with Fulbert Youlou as president Go to Congo, Republic of the in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Empires The French colony of Senegal becomes independent, with Léopold Senghor as the new nation's first president Go to Senegal in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires Nigeria wins independence, with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as prime minister, but its stability is threatened by tribal and regional factions Go to Nigeria in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Empires The French colony of Mauritania becomes independent, with Moktar Ould Daddah as president Go to Mauritania in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires
1961	Patrice Lumumba is sent to Katanga, where he is murdered Go to Lumumba, Patrice (2 July 1925) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Empires Former British colony Sierra Leone becomes an independent state within the Commonwealth Go to Sierra Leone in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Empires Joshua Nkomo founds ZAPU, the Zimbabwe African People's Union, in the British colony of Southern Rhodesia Go to Nkomo, Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo (b. 17 June 1917) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent British empire European empires from 1415 Zimbabwe Africa South Africa Europe Empires Two French generals, Raoul Salan and Edmond Jouhaud, form the OAS (Organisation de l'Armée Secrète) to preserve French rule in Algeria Go to Organisation de l'Armée Secrète in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Empires The southern part of the British Cameroons votes to merge with Cameroun, becoming the federal republic of Cameroon Go to Cameroon in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Empires Tanganyika becomes an independent nation with Julius Nyerere as prime minister Go to Tanzania in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1962	Frelimo emerges as a Marxist guerrilla group dedicated to winning independence for Mozambique Go to FRELIMO in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Communism Protest and rebellion European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Africa South Africa Europe Empires Ian Smith's white supremacist party, the Rhodesian Front, wins power in Rhodesia's election Go to Smith, Ian Douglas (1919–2007) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics British empire European empires from 1415 Zimbabwe Africa South Africa Europe Empires A massive yes vote in a referendum is immediately followed by French recognition of Algerian independence Go to Algeria in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Empires The former British colony of Uganda becomes an independent republic, with Milton Obote as prime minister Go to Uganda in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1963	The OAU (Organization of African Unity) is founded in Addis Ababa to give Africa a united voice in world affairs Go to African Union in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Ethiopia Europe Empires Robert Mugabe and Ndabaningi Sithole split from ZAPU to found ZANU, the Zimbabwe African National Union Go to ZANU in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent European empires from 1415 Zimbabwe Africa South Africa Europe Empires Zanzibar becomes an independent nation and a member of the Commonwealth Go to Zanzibar in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires Kenya becomes independent, with Jomo Kenyatta as prime minister Go to Kenya in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is dissolved, as the three colonies go their separate ways Go to Central African Federation in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics British empire European empires from 1415 Zimbabwe Africa South Africa Europe Empires
1964	Ian Smith, now prime minister of Rhodesia, arrests leading black politicians Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe Go to Smith, Ian Douglas (1919–2007) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics British empire European empires from 1415 Zimbabwe Africa South Africa Europe Empires Tanganyika and Zanzibar merge as the United Republic of Tanzania Go to Nkomo, Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo (b. 17 June 1917) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 Africa East Africa Europe Empires Hastings Banda is prime minister of the newly independent nation of Malawi, formerly Nyasaland Go to Malawi in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa Europe Empires Kenneth Kaunda becomes president of the independent republic of Zambia, previously Northern Rhodesia Go to Zambia in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa Europe Empires
1965	The Gambia becomes an independent member of the Commonwealth, with Dawda Jawara as prime minister Go to Gambia in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa West Africa Europe Empires Ian Smith makes a unilateral declaration of Rhodesia's independence Go to Rhodesia in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics British empire European empires from 1415 Zimbabwe Africa South Africa Europe Empires
1966	UNITA, led by Jonas Savimbi, joins the fight for Angolan independence Go to Angola in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics War European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Africa South Africa Europe Empires Former chief Seretse Khama becomes the first president of an independent Botswana Go to Khama, Sir Seretse (1921–80) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa Europe Empires
1968	Spanish Guinea becomes an independent republic as Equatorial Guinea, with Francisco Macias Nguema as president Go to Equatorial Guinea in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe Empires The United Nations, with the approval of Britain as the colonial power, imposes economic sanctions on Rhodesia Go to Zimbabwe in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Commerce and industry British empire European empires from 1415 Zimbabwe Africa South Africa Europe Society Empires
1973	The Polisario is formed to fight for the independence of Western Sahara Go to Polisario Front in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1974	Portuguese Guinea becomes independent as Guinea-Bissau, with Luís Cabral as president Go to Guinea-Bissau in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires
1975	The independence of Angola is established in the Alvor agreement between Portugal and three rival guerrilla groups, the MPLA, FNLA, and UNITA Go to Angola in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century European empires from 1415 Africa Europe Empires The king of Morocco sends 350,000 settlers across the border into Western Sahara Go to bin Mohammed, Hassan Moulai (9 Jul. 1929) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Empires Portuguese East Africa becomes independent as Mozambique, with Frelimo as the only political party Go to Mozambique in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Africa South Africa Europe Empires The Cape Verde islands, off the west coast of Africa, become independent as the republic of Cape Verde Go to Cape Verde in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires
1976	The UN entrusts the Western Sahara to joint administration by Morocco and Mauritania Go to Western Sahara in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Empires The Polisario, as a government-in-exile in Algeria, proclaim the independence of Western Sahara as the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic Go to Western Sahara in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1977	The French Territory of Afars and Issas becomes independent as Djibouti, with Hassan Gouled Aptidon as president Go to Djibouti in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1979	Morocco annexes the Mauritanian part of the Western Sahara, thus taking control of the entire region Go to Western Sahara in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 Africa North Africa Europe Empires A conference in London, at Lancaster House, finally achieves agreement on Southern Rhodesia Go to Zimbabwe in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British empire European empires from 1415 Zimbabwe Africa South Africa Europe Empires Britain
1980	Rhodesia becomes independent, taking the name Zimbabwe, with Robert Mugabe as prime minister Go to Zimbabwe in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Zimbabwe Africa South Africa Europe Empires
1990	Namibia becomes independent with Sam Nujoma as president Go to Nujoma, Sam Daniel Saffishuna (12 May 1929) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Africa South Africa Europe Empires

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date: 28 March 2025

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