French Conquest of the Western Sudan

With no central power to keep order in the Sudan, agriculture declined. Refugees fled both the slave trade and the warring armies of rival states. Later, Europeans entered the area, seeking raw materials and markets for their manufactured goods. The French took most of the western Sudan - Timbuktu in 1894 and Gao in 1898. Africans were required to produce more raw materials for France, such as cotton and peanuts. Roads and railways were built primarily to transport trade goods to the sea. Little effort was make to develop the interior or to build trade networks with other nations. Communication and education were kept to the bare minimum. A head tax was imposed on every adult male.

Changes in the Borders and Name of Mali Since 1890

The present boundaries of Mali are the legacy of 70 years of French colonial rule, from 1890-1960. During this period, a number of major changes were made to the country's borders.

1890-99

Mali became known as Soudan Francais (French Soudan).

1899-1904

Mali administratively merged with what is now Senegal and parts of present-day Mauritania, Niger, and Burkina Faso, called Senegambie et Niger. Parts of the country transferred to French Guinea.

1904

Mali and parts of present-day Niger, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso renamed Haut Senegal et Niger (Upper Senegal and Niger).

1920-69

Mali again became known as Soudan Francais (French Sudan).

1947

Frontier altered again when some districts given to the newly recreated colony of Upper Volta (later renamed Burkina Faso) and to Mauritania.

1959

French Sudan opted for internal autonomy within the French Community and became known as Republique Soudanaise (Sudanese Republic). Along with Senegal, the Sudanese Republic formed a federation--the Federation du Mali, taking its name from the ancient empire of Mali.

1960

The Federation became independent on June 30, but broke apart August 20 because of serious political differences that existed between Senegal and the Sudanese Republic. On September 22, the Sudanese Republic declared itself independent and took the name Republique du Mali, with its capital, Bamako, on the banks of the Niger River.