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A Brief Of Ivory Coast History - From The Ancient Time To Present

User By Jenna Jolie

The Ivory Coast, officially known as the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, is a West African country with a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The land was inhabited by several ethnic groups, including the Baoule, Bete, and Senoufo, before the arrival of the Europeans in the 15th century. Over the centuries, the country has experienced periods of colonization, independence, political instability, and economic growth.

After a long time of colonization, Ivory Coast put on a new phase, pushing the tourism industry, which has attracted many tourists recently. However, this country still arouses curiosity for those who love history. In this article, we will explore the Ivory Coast history, from its early beginnings to the present day.

Older Ivory Coast History Facts

The Ivory Coast's pre-colonial history matches the same of modern Ghana, with migration from the north and east. About 1200, the Akan people of today's Ivory Coast and Ghana migrated from the Western Sudan plain. The reason for the exodus might have been the anarchy that followed the fall of old Ghana, or it could have been a flight from the rising Mali Kingdom.

Indigenous tribes live side by side with settled tribes, laying the basis for today's ethnic diversity. The Ivory Coast history can be traced back to ancient times when the land was inhabited by several ethnic groups who lived off the land as farmers, hunters, and traders. 

These groups included the Akan, who lived in the south and east of the country, and the Mandé, who lived in the west. The region's coastal areas were also home to various trading settlements, where merchants exchanged gold, ivory, and other commodities with Arab and European traders.

The arrival of the Portuguese in the region in the late 15th century marked the beginning of European colonialism. After the Portuguese, the French, Dutch, and British erected trading posts along the coast, and began trafficking ivory and gold. The Europeans brought Religion to the region, as well as weaponry, allowing certain ethnic groups to extend their borders at the expense of others.

Ivory Coast history has experienced many European colonizations

Ivory Coast history has experienced many European colonizations

Ivory Coast History Timeline - Colonialism And Independence

With the thousand years of history, the Ivory Coast history timeline is divided into many milestones.

With the split of Africa, the Ivory Coast became a colony of France in the late 19th century (specifically in 1893) after the French declared the region a protectorate in 1843. The French used the natural resources of the Ivory Coast as a source of raw materials and labor for their colonies in West Africa. They introduced cash crops such as coffee, cocoa, and rubber, which became the backbone of the country's economy. In those years, cocoa was the major exportation of Ivory Coast in the year 1930. 

The French also established the governance system by giving local leaders the right to govern their own people. As a result, in Ivory Coast history, there was a new intellectual class who were trained under the French school and served as intermediaries between the French colonial authorities and the local population. 

Until 1917, the reflection of opposition to the French administration was visible in numerous sectors, including guerilla warfare against the French, who only defeated the resistance. In 1944, there was a former union and a cocoa farmer - Félix Houphouët-Boigny, created the Syndicat Agricole Africain, which was renamed the Parti Démocratique de Côte d'Ivoire the following year. He became the first president of the Ivory Coast and ruled for over three decades. 

Félix Houphouët-Boigny - The first president of Ivory Coast

Félix Houphouët-Boigny - The first president of Ivory Coast

In 1958, the Ivory Coast became an autonomous republic within the French Community, and two years later, it gained full independence. Houphouet-Boigny's rule was characterized by political stability, economic growth, and a Western foreign policy, which created the prosperity of Ivory Coast history.

Political Instability And Civil War

Houphout-Boigny, the country's father, died in December 1993 after a protracted illness. Ivory Coast history again experienced a period of political instability, characterized by coups, civil unrest, and ethnic tensions. In 1999, General Robert Guei seized power in a coup and ruled the country for a year before being overthrown in a popular uprising. 

The Ivory Coast's political difficulties, which became apparent in the 1990s, are partly ethnic and partly religious, with tensions between Christians and Muslims. The south is dominated by Christians, whereas the north is dominated by Muslims. During the 1995 election, some 6,000 Baulé people abandoned their homes in the southwest, an area dominated by the beet people - the opposition's leadership is predominantly beet.

Laurent Gbagbo was elected president in a controversial election marked by allegations of fraud in 2000. Political persecution, ethnic strife, and economic collapse were hallmarks of Gbagbo's administration. Rebels from the country's north started a rebellion against Gbagbo's administration in 2002, resulting in a civil war that lasted until 2011. 

The civil war split the country along ethnic and geographical lines, displacing nearly a million people. In 2007, according to Ivory Coast history, a peace agreement was signed between the government and rebel factions, resulting in the creation of a national unity government. The peace agreement, however, was short-lived, as conflict erupted in 2010 following a disputed presidential election.

Ivory Coast nowadays

Ivory Coast nowadays

International intervention, including military action by France and the United Nations, helped to end the civil war and bring about a peaceful resolution. In 2011, Alassane Ouattara was declared the winner of the presidential election, and Gbagbo was arrested and later tried at the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

Read more about Abidjan Tourist Attractions: A Window Into The Heart Of Côte D'ivoire's Culture And Nature

The Creation Of Ivory Coast Flag History

In the past, the French flag, which symbolized the nation while it was a French colony, was the first to find regular usage in Ivory Coast. Because the French administration did not use colonial flags in order to avoid promoting nationalist feelings in the colonies, the country did not have a distinct flag until the end of the colonial period.

The national flag of Ivory Coast came in 1959 when a significant number of African states gained independence from colonial overlords. The adoption of the flag happened shortly before the formal acknowledgment of the country's independence, which occurred in 1960. The government's distinctive design was a popular decision, and it has remained unchanged since its adoption.

The national flag from Ivory Coast history to now

Ivory Coast's flag depicts the flags of the numerous nations that have impacted it throughout Ivory Coast history. It mixes foreign inspirations with national symbols to produce an Ivory Coast flag that reflects both the contemporary country and the past that the country shares with the rest of the globe. It also has an uncanny similarity to the Irish flag; however, this is entirely coincidental. 

The Ivory Coast History Made The Latter Development

Ivory Coast history is a complex and multifaceted one, marked by periods of colonization, independence, political instability, and economic growth. The country's early history was shaped by the interactions of various ethnic groups and the arrival of European traders and colonizers. The French colonial period significantly impacted the country's economy and society, and the legacy of French rule is still evident today. 

After the civil war, the Ivory Coast has improved progress toward rebuilding its economy and strengthening its democratic institutions. The country has experienced strong economic growth, driven by the export of cocoa and other commodities, and has attracted significant foreign investment. 

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Get a visa to travel to this beautiful country in order to experience all the historical sites as well as natural wonders. This place has inspired and ignited so many history lovers to come here to explore Ivory Coast history. Here are the top 5 tourism destinations that you might be interested in when traveling to Ivory Coast. Please remember to check your eligibility before applying for an Ivory Coast e-visa at the link. If you have any questions, Ivory Coast Immigration Services will be available anytime to assist travelers. 

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