Why was Fort d’Aumale established in 1843?

The French established Fort d’Aumale in 1843 primarily as a strategic response to the arrival of American Protestant missionaries in May 1842. These missionaries had begun opening a school in the lands of King Glass, an area that served as a central hub for British, American, and German commercial activity.12

By building the fort within the territory of King Louis, the French sought to bolster their influence and secure their sovereignty in the region, which had been previously established through treaties negotiated by Capt. Édouard Bouët-Willaumez. This action was part of a broader effort by France to compete more actively in the commercial sphere of the Gulf of Guinea and to counter the influence of other foreign powers. The fort eventually became a foundational element of Libreville, the capital of Gabon.12