French Equatorial Africa

Quick Facts: Who was French Equatorial Africa?

Subject:

French Equatorial Africa

Known for:

A federation of French colonial territories in Equatorial Africa (1910–1958).

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

French Equatorial Africa (French: Afrique équatoriale française, or AEF) was a federation of French colonial territories in Equatorial Africa which consisted of Gabon, French Congo, Ubangi-Shari, and Chad. It existed from 1910 to 1958 and its administration was based in Brazzaville. Established in 1910, the Federation contained four colonial possessions: French Gabon, French Congo, Ubangi-Shari and French Chad. The Governor-General was based in Brazzaville with deputies in each territory. In 1911, France ceded parts of the territory to German Kamerun as a result of the Agadir Crisis.

Career & Major Achievements

The territory was returned after Germany's defeat in World War I, while most of Cameroon proper became a French League of Nations mandate not integrated into the AEF. French Equatorial Africa, especially the region of Ubangi-Shari, had a similar concession system as the Congo Free State and similar atrocities were also committed there. During the reign of Leopold II large groups of refugees fled from the Congo Free State into areas in French Equatorial Africa to escape the dire conditions in the Leopoldian rubber areas. The violence in the French rubber regions was so extreme however, that many eventually fled back to the areas under Belgian colonial control. Writer André Gide traveled to Ubangi-Shari and was told by inhabitants about atrocities including mutilations, dismemberments, executions, the burning of children, and villagers being forcibly bound to large beams and made to walk until dropping from exhaustion and thirst.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Gide's book Travels in the Congo, published in 1927, was fiercely critical of the system of the concession companies in French Equatorial Africa. The book had an important impact on the anti-colonialist movement in France. The number of victims under the French concession system in Ubangi-Shari and other parts of French Equatorial Africa remains unknown. Adam Hochschild estimates a population decrease of half in the French Congo and Gabon, similar to his estimate of the population decline in the Congo Free State. In French Equatorial Africa, the French authorities long tolerated indigenous slavery, but finally acted against the slave trade of the Sultan of Dar Kuti in 1908, and took action against his slave raids in 1911, declaring the slaves in Dar al Kuti free and annexing the territory in 1912.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1908: 1908 Milestone — In French Equatorial Africa, the French authorities long tolerated indigenous slavery, but finally acted against the slave trade of the Sultan of Dar Kuti in 1908, and took action against his slave raids in 1911, declaring the slaves in Dar al Kuti free and annexing the territory in 1912.
2. 1910: 1910 Milestone — It existed from 1910 to 1958 and its administration was based in Brazzaville.
3. 1911: 1911 Milestone — In 1911, France ceded parts of the territory to German Kamerun as a result of the Agadir Crisis.
4. 1927: 1927 Milestone — Gide's book Travels in the Congo, published in 1927, was fiercely critical of the system of the concession companies in French Equatorial Africa.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: French Equatorial Africa

True or False: “The AEF was fully independent and self-governing before the 1958 referendum.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The federation voted in a referendum in September 1958 to become autonomous within the French Community, leading to its dissolution.

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Frequently Asked Questions about French Equatorial Africa