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French Cameroun
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French Cameroun

French mandate, Africa
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Quick Summary

Following World War I, the former German colony of Kamerun was divided into two mandates: French Cameroun and British Cameroons. These became League of Nations mandates, later United Nations trusts.12

French Cameroun saw greater agricultural and industrial development, with closer ties to France. The nationalist party, the UPC, pushed for a complete break from France and a socialist economy, but was suppressed, leading to civil war. French Cameroun gained independence on January 1, 1960, with Ahmadou Ahidjo as its first president, maintaining close ties with France.13

British Cameroons experienced neglect and resentment due to its association with Nigeria. In a 1961 plebiscite, the southern part of British Cameroons voted to unite with the Republic of Cameroon, forming the Federal Republic of Cameroon, while the north joined Nigeria.13

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5 Britannica Sources
  1. Cameroon - Moving toward independence
  2. Cameroon - British Cameroons (1916–61) and French Cameroun (1916–60)
  3. mandate
  4. French West Africa
  5. history of Cameroon: Top Questions

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