Republic of Upper Volta — historical French colony now Burkina Faso
Former French territory in West Africa, created as Upper Volta in the early 20th century, reorganized mid-century, and independent in 1960; later renamed Burkina Faso in 1984.
Overview
The Republic of Upper Volta was the name used for a French colonial territory in West Africa that corresponds to the modern state of Burkina Faso. The entity known as Upper Volta emerged under French rule in the early 20th century and underwent several administrative changes before achieving independence in the mid-20th century. It occupied a landlocked area of the Volta river basin and served as a distinct territorial unit within the French colonial federation of West African possessions (context).
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Geography and society
Upper Volta encompassed savanna and semi-arid zones drained by tributaries of the Volta rivers. Its population included a number of ethnic groups, among them the Mossi who were and remain one of the largest communities. French was imposed as the administrative language, while many local languages continued to be used in daily life. Traditional agriculture, seasonal grazing and local trade formed the economic backbone for much of the territory.
Colonial formation and reorganization
The territory that became Upper Volta was created as a distinct administrative unit in the years following World War I. Sources record its establishment in the period around 1918. In 1932 the French colonial authorities dissolved the unit and partitioned its lands among neighboring colonial territories — with parts administered together with what had been called French Sudan (French Sudan), Niger (Niger) and the Ivory Coast (Ivory Coast) — an act sometimes summarized as the 1932 disbanding.
Restoration and path to independence
After World War II colonial policy shifted and the territory was reconstituted with its former borders in 1947. Political reforms across French West Africa and the rise of local political movements led to growing autonomy. Upper Volta became independent of France in 1960 and established a sovereign government. In the decades that followed the country experienced changes of leadership and political experimentation.
- Creation as a colony: early 20th century (1918).
- Dissolution and partition among neighboring colonies: 1932.
- Restoration of the territorial unit: 1947.
- Independence from France: 1960.
Legacy and later name change
After independence the country continued to be widely referred to as Upper Volta until a symbolic and political renaming in 1984, when the state adopted the name Burkina Faso to reflect local languages and a new national identity. The period of the Republic of Upper Volta is important for understanding the formation of contemporary administrative boundaries, patterns of settlement, and some of the social and economic challenges that the successor state inherited.
For more on regional context and related territories, see sources dealing with colonial West Africa and the neighboring administrations of French Sudan, Niger and the Ivory Coast.
Questions and answers
Q: What was the Republic of Upper Volta?
A: The Republic of Upper Volta is an old name for the country in Africa which is now known as Burkina Faso.
Q: When did Upper Volta become independent?
A: Upper Volta became independent in 1960.
Q: Was Upper Volta a French colony?
A: Yes, Upper Volta was a French colony.
Q: When did Upper Volta exist as a French colony?
A: Upper Volta existed as a French colony from 1918 to 1932.
Q: What happened to Upper Volta after 1932?
A: After 1932, Upper Volta was disbanded and its territory was shared between neighboring countries such as French Sudan, Niger, and Ivory Coast.
Q: When was Upper Volta restored?
A: Upper Volta was restored in 1947 with its former borders.
Q: Which neighboring countries shared the territory of Upper Volta after it was disbanded in 1932?
A: The neighboring countries that shared the territory of Upper Volta after it was disbanded in 1932 were French Sudan, Niger, and Ivory Coast.
Related articles
Author
AlegsaOnline.com Republic of Upper Volta — historical French colony now Burkina Faso Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/82240