French empire

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Timeline: French empire

Years: c. 1630 - 1977	Subject: History, Regional and National History
Publisher: HistoryWorld	Online Publication Date: 2012
Current online version: 2012	eISBN: 9780191737596

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BCE CE

Year	Event
c. 1630	Rival Dutch, English and French colonies are established in Guiana, the northeast coast of south America Go to Guiana in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire Dutch empire European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Latin America South 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 European empires in Africa Africa West Africa Europe Society Empires
1660	Louis XIV grants New France the status of a royal province and greatly increases the flow of colonists to north America Go to New France in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Europe Empires North America Canada
1668	The Jesuits establish a mission at Sault Sainte Marie which becomes the starting point for French exploration south of the Great Lakes Go to Sault Sainte Marie (Canada, USA) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization Religion Christianity Monasticism European empires from 1415 Europe Empires North America Canada
1669	Robert de La Salle makes his first exploration of the Ohio valley, providing the basis for France's later claim to the area Go to La Salle, René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de (1643–87) in The Oxford Companion to American Literature (6 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Europe Empires North America United States
1682	Robert de la Salle travels down the Mississippi to its mouth and claims the entire region for France, naming it Louisiana Go to La Salle, René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de (1643–87) in The Oxford Companion to American Literature (6 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Europe Empires North America United States
c. 1690	France by now has six fortified trading settlements around the coast of India, of which Pondicherry is the most important Go to Pondicherry (India) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry European empires from 1415 Mughal empire Asia South Asia India (the subcontinent) India (republic) Europe Society Empires
1697	In the Treaty of Rijswijk, Spain cedes the western half of Hispaniola to France, which names its new colony Saint-Domingue Go to Haiti in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Empires Latin America Caribbean
1745	New England militiamen achieve an unexpected success in capturing the fortress of Louisbourg from the French Go to Louisbourg in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century War Empires North America Canada United States
1749	A French official travels down the Ohio valley, placing markers to claim it for France Go to New France in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French and Indian War Politics Conquest and colonization War European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1751	Robert Clive prevails over the French after holding out during the seven-week siege of Arcot in southern India Go to Clive, Robert (1725–74) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French and Indian War War British empire Mughal empire Asia South Asia India (the subcontinent) Empires Wars and Revolutions
1752	The French seize or evict every English-speaking trader in the region of the upper Ohio Go to New France in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French and Indian War War Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1753	George Washington undertakes a difficult and ineffectual journey to persuade the French to withdraw from the Ohio valley Go to Washington, George (1732–99) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French and Indian War War Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1754	George Washington kills ten French troops at Fort Duquesne, in the first violent clash of the French and Indian war Go to French and Indian War (1754–1763) in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French and Indian War War Battles British colonial America British empire Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States The British colonies negotiate with the Iroquois at the Albany Congress, in the face of the French threat in the Ohio valley Go to Albany Congress (1754) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French and Indian War Politics War American Indians British colonial America British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1755	A British force under Edward Braddock lands in America to provide support against the French in the Ohio valley Go to French and Indian War (1754–1763) in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French and Indian War War British colonial America British empire Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States The army led by Edward Braddock and George Washington is ambushed at Fort Duquesne and Braddock is killed Go to Braddock, Edward (1695–1755) in The Oxford Companion to American Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French and Indian War War Battles British colonial America British empire Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1756	The French in America, under the marquis of Montcalm, begin two highly successful years of campaigning against the British Go to French and Indian War (1754–1763) in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French and Indian War War Empires Wars and Revolutions North America Canada United States
1759	British general James Wolfe sails up the St Lawrence river with 15,000 men to besiege Quebec Go to Wolfe, James (1727–59) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century War Battles British empire Empires North America Canada Wolfe defeats Montcalm and captures Quebec, but both commanders die in the engagement Go to Quebec, battle of (1759) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French and Indian War War British empire Empires Wars and Revolutions North America Canada
1763	In the treaty of Paris France cedes to Britain all its territory north of the Great Lakes and east of the Mississippi river, except the district of New Orleans Go to Paris, Treaty of (1763) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French and Indian War Politics War British colonial America British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States
1764	A French expedition from St Malo, founding a colony on East Falkland, name the islands Les îsles Malouines Go to Falkland Islands in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Falkland Islands Europe Empires Latin America South America
1793	Toussaint L'Ouverture, a former slave, joins a Spanish force invading the French colony of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) Go to Toussaint L'Ouverture, Pierre Dominique (c. 1743–1803) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Protest and rebellion Empires Latin America Caribbean
1800	Toussaint L'Ouverture emerges as the leader of Saint-Domingue, ruling without French colonial control Go to Toussaint L'Ouverture in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Latin America Caribbean
1801	Toussaint L'Ouverture invades the neighbouring Spanish colony of Santo Domingo, and becomes ruler of the whole island of Hispaniola Go to Hispaniola in The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Latin America Caribbean A powerful French force arrives in Saint-Domingue and recovers control of the colony, offering generous terms to the native leaders Go to Toussaint L'Ouverture, Pierre Dominique (c. 1743–1803) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Latin America Caribbean
1802	Toussaint L'Ouverture is treacherously arrested and sent to France, where he dies in prison Go to Toussaint L'Ouverture, Pierre Dominique (c. 1743–1803) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion Empires Latin America Caribbean
1804	The independence of Haiti from France is proclaimed by a new native ruler calling himself the emperor Jacques I Go to Dessalines, Jean Jacques (1758–1806) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion Empires Latin America Caribbean
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 European empires in Africa Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1830	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 European empires in Africa Africa North Africa 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 European empires in Africa Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1858	Napoleon III sends forces to capture the port of Da Nang, beginning the French colonization of Vietnam Go to Napoleon III (1808–73) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Asia East Asia Southeast Asia Europe Empires
1863	France establishes a protectorate over Cambodia Go to French Indo-China in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Asia East Asia Southeast Asia 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 European empires in Africa Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1881	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 European empires in Africa Africa North Africa 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 European empires in Africa Africa South Africa Europe Empires
1887	France brings Cambodia and Vietnam into a federation of protectorates under the title French Indochina Go to Indochina in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Asia East Asia Southeast Asia Europe Empires
1889	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 European empires in Africa Africa West Africa Europe Empires
1892	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 European empires in Africa 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 European empires in Africa Africa West Africa Europe Empires France incorporates Laos within French Indochina Go to Indochina in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Asia East Asia Southeast Asia Europe Empires
1897	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 European empires in Africa Africa South 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 European empires in Africa Africa East Africa Europe Empires
1905	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 European empires in Africa German empire Africa North 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 European empires in Africa Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1910	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 European empires in Africa Africa Central Africa East Africa Europe 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 European empires in Africa 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 European empires in Africa Spanish empire Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1920	May - League of Nations mandates give France responsibility for Syria and Lebanon Go to Mandate in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War European empires from 1415 Asia West Asia Lebanon and Syria Europe Empires Wars since 1900
1945	September 2 - Ho Chi Minh proclaims the democratic republic of Vietnam, independent of the colonial power, France Go to Ho Chi Minh (1890–1969) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century Politics Communism Conquest and colonization War European empires from 1415 Cold war Asia East Asia Southeast Asia Vietnam Europe Empires Wars since 1900
1946	The Indochina War breaks out in Vietnam between the French colonial forces and the Vietminh Go to Indochina War (1946–54) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War European empires from 1415 Cold war Asia East Asia Southeast Asia Vietnam Europe Empires Wars since 1900
1954	The French abandon Vietnam, leaving the country divided at the seventeenth parallel Go to Indochina War (1946–54) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century War Asia East Asia Southeast Asia Vietnam 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 European empires in Africa Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1956	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 European empires in Africa Spanish empire Africa North Africa Europe Empires
1958	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 European empires in Africa Africa West Africa Europe Empires
1960	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 European empires in Africa Africa Central Africa East 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 European empires in Africa 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 European empires in Africa Africa West Africa Europe 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 European empires in Africa Africa West 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 European empires in Africa 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 European empires in Africa 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 European empires in Africa 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 European empires in Africa 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 European empires in Africa 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 European empires in Africa Africa West 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 European empires in Africa Africa East Africa Europe Empires

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date: 04 December 2023

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