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Map of Central Africa AD 1897 |
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Central Africa in the 1800s was a land of uncertain, shifting borders, with small states expanding to incorporate previously stateless tribal societies, and European powers making their presence increasingly felt. The nineteenth century French presence soon dominated a vast stretch of land along the Atlantic coast, and this soon expanded into the interior. It swallowed up several small, ephemeral sultanates along the way, including Bangassou, Rafaï, and Zémio (all now within Central African Republic). Dar al-Kuti (also now in CAR) held out for longer as a self-governing entity, but in 1897 it had to accept French protectorate status. Wadai had existed since 1635, but that gave way to French authority in 1912 (today it forms part of Chad), while Bagirmi also accepted French protectorate status in 1897. To the north and east of this zone, the rapidly-expanding Mahdist state gave the British in Sudan a good deal of trouble, and posed a similar threat to its native neighbouring states, before quickly collapsing in the face of its defeats. The Gulf of Guinea was a patchwork of competing British (in red), German (in blue-grey), and French holdings, while the British and Germans also held growing areas of control in East Africa. The only Spanish holding was the minor Fernando Póo settlement on the Atlantic coast. A clickable version of this map is available for desktop displays. To select a kingdom, state, or tribe for further information, click on its name.
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Original text and map copyright © P L Kessler and the History Files, with additional information by Richard A Bradshaw & Juan Fandos-Rius. An original feature for the History Files. Go back or return home. |
