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500
Villages were founded all across the region
Around 500 AD, villages were spotted all across the region. They weren’t ruled like the Europeans would later in time. They never really stretched out west, either. There was nothing there but a dry desert, and a desert doesn’t have many resources that could sustain life. Later in time the Europeans would come and would create countries that did stretch out to the west where the desert was. The desert was called the Sahara, and it was empty up until then. -
700
The ancient kingdom of Ghana is the first to be established at the southern end of the Saharan trade routes
In 700 AD, the kingdom wasn’t connected geographically to the country of modern-day Ghana, the Ghana Empire was actually located in the western Sudan savannah region. Trade there had an abundance of iron, copper, gold, and ivory and it had easy access to the Niger and Senegal Rivers. People called Ghana a fabulous land of gold. The news spread to North Africa and Europe, where more people came for gold. Ghana Empire went down from the 12th century following drought, civil wars. -
1300
Europe’s financial stability depended on west Africa’s gold supply.
In 1300 AD, Europe’s financial stability depended on west Africa’s gold supply. Ghana was strong enough to take control of many places in Aoudaghost because of Gold. Mali rulers did not encourage gold in Islam. African gold was famous worldwide that the Spanish map represents the king of Mali with a gold nugget. Gold and trade were important activities, and it made thousands of African people to start looking for gold. More people searched for gold making it hard to find time for other jobs. -
1400
Slave trade begins
Slave trade started in the 15th century, or around the year 1400. This was where slaves from all regions of Africa, including West Central Africa, were forced against their will to venture across the ocean to America so they could work. People were brutal when it came to slaves. They would trade them like property, and their work conditions were horrible. Slaves were traded because people were eager to explore “The New World”, and needed slaves to work the land for them. -
People start to view slavery as a negative thing.
In 1783 people started to change their perspective on slavery. They started to view slavery as inhumane and wrong. People wanted to change the laws because they realized that everyone should be treated as equals. This happened particularly in Britain, this affected the Africans being enslaved. Over the next few decades, people took large steps towards abolishing slavery which meant a better life, and eventually freedom for the Africans that were being enslaved. -
illegal slave trade finally ends 60 years after laws were passed thet banned it.
The last slave transatlantic slave trade took place in 1867, which was 60 years after it became illegal. Many people that felt too entitled to not treat Africans as slaves, even though a law was passed making it illegal to do so. When the slave trade finally ended it had a huge impact on the future of West Central Africa. The new freedom did not completely fix the problem of racial segregation, but it made a huge difference and led to where we are now. -
Cameroon was created from territory that was previously controlled by Germans
Throughout the years of 1884-1916, Cameroon was colonized by Germany, because Germany was looking for an empire to establish trade-in. When Cameroon was defeated in World War 1, they were placed as a territory of the League of Nations that was given to France and Britain to take control. After Germany left Cameroon, they left no impact which caused Britain and France to take over. Cameroon now speaks English and French as their official language. -
Ghana gained its independence back
In 1957, Ghana gained its independence back. At this time, the Europeans reigned over Africa. Everyone was too scared to do anything, as the Europeans brought good resources that they were free to use. Slowly but surely, everyone started gaining their independence back. This resulted in Africa being divided up into countries. Before, it was just many regions and many tribes that decided where to live, or where things were placed. The Africa we know today was created by the Europeans. -
Anti European riots in the Congo cause Belgians to leave the country.
In 1960 Ahmadou Ahidjo was the first president to be elected for the Republic of Cameroon. He served from 1960 to 1982. Ahmadou ruled over one of the super territorial African unity, and this was the southern half of the British Cameroons. In 1957 while being the vice-premier and minister of the interior he formed his own party called the Cameroonian Union. In 1960 he was able to attain the unification of the southern British Cameroons, following with a plebiscite. -
First president of Cameroon
In 1960 Ahmadou Ahidjo was the first president to be elected for the Republic of Cameroon. He served from 1960 to 1982. Ahmadou ruled over one of the super territorial African unity, and this was the southern half of the British Cameroons. In 1957 while being the vice-premier and minister of the interior he formed his own party called the Cameroonian Union. In 1960 he was able to attain the unification of the southern British Cameroons, following with a plebiscite.
