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{{Short description|1903–1960 French colony in Central Africa, now the Central African Republic}}
{{coord|7|3=N|4=20|6=E|display=title}}
{{coord|7|3=N|4=20|6=E|display=title}}
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{{Short description|1903–1960 French colony in Central Africa}}
{{Infobox former country
{{Infobox former country
| conventional_long_name = Colony of Ubangi-Shari
| conventional_long_name = Ubangi-Shari
| native_name = {{native name|fr|Oubangui-Chari}}
| native_name = {{native name|fr|Oubangui-Chari}}
| common_name = Ubangi-Shari
| common_name = Ubangi-Shari
| empire = France
| empire = France
| status = Colony of France
| status = Colony of France
| life_span = 1903–1960
| life_span = 1903–1960
| image_flag = Flag of France.svg
| image_flag = Flag of France.svg
| national_anthem = "[[La Marseillaise]]"<br>{{center|[[File:La Marseillaise (1907).oga]]}}
| national_anthem = "[[La Marseillaise]]"<br>{{center|[[File:La Marseillaise (1907).oga]]}}
| image_map = ubangi-shari map.png
| image_map = ubangi-shari map.png
| image_map_caption = <div style="padding:0 5em; text-align:left;">
| image_map_caption = <div style="padding:0 5em; text-align:left;">
{{ubl|{{legend|#30632a|Before 1916}}
{{ubl|{{legend|#30632a|Before 1916}}
|{{legend|#539c4f|After 1916}}
|{{legend|#539c4f|After 1916}}
Line 17: Line 17:
|{{legend|#666666|[[French colonial empire|French possessions]]}}
|{{legend|#666666|[[French colonial empire|French possessions]]}}
|{{legend|#303030|[[French Third Republic|French Republic]]}}}}</div>
|{{legend|#303030|[[French Third Republic|French Republic]]}}}}</div>
| capital = {{ubl|{{nowr|[[Abiras]] (1903–1906)}}
| capital = {{ubl|{{nowr|[[Abiras]] (1903–1906)}}
|{{nowr|[[Fort de Possel|Possel]] (1906)}}
|{{nowr|[[Fort de Possel|Possel]] (1906)}}
|{{nowr|[[Bangui]] (1906–1958)}}}}
|{{nowr|[[Bangui]] (1906–1958)}}}}
| languages_type = {{nowr|Official language}}
| languages_type = {{nowr|Official language}}
| languages = [[French language|French]]
| languages = [[French language|French]]
| languages2_sub = yes
| languages2_sub = yes
| languages2_type = {{nowr|Commonly spoken}}
| languages2_type = {{nowr|Commonly spoken}}
| languages2 = [[Sango language|Sango]]
| languages2 = [[Sango language|Sango]]
| established_event1 = {{nowr|Established}}
| established_event1 = {{nowr|Established}}
| established_event2 = {{nowr|[[French Equatorial Africa]]}}
| established_event2 = {{nowr|[[French Equatorial Africa]]}}
| established_event3 = {{nowr|[[French colonial empire|French colony]]}}
| established_event3 = {{nowr|[[French colonial empire|French colony]]}}
| established_event4 = {{nowr|[[French Equatorial Africa]]}}
| established_event4 = {{nowr|[[French Equatorial Africa]]}}
| established_event5 = {{nowr|[[Overseas territory (France)|Overseas territory]]}}
| established_event5 = {{nowr|[[Overseas territory (France)|Overseas territory]]}}
| established_event6 = {{nowr|[[Territorial autonomy|Autonomy]] as [[Central African Republic|CAR]]}}
| established_event6 = {{nowr|[[Territorial autonomy|Autonomy]] as [[Central African Republic|CAR]]}}
| established_event7 = {{nowr|[[Central African Republic|Independence]]}}
| established_event7 = {{nowr|[[Central African Republic|Independence]]}}
| established_date1 = 29 December 1903
| established_date1 = 29 December 1903
| established_date2 = 15 January 1910
| established_date2 = 15 January 1910
| established_date3 = 12 April 1916
| established_date3 = 12 April 1916
| established_date4 = 30 June 1934
| established_date4 = 30 June 1934
| established_date5 = 31 December 1937
| established_date5 = 31 December 1937
| established_date6 = 1 December 1958
| established_date6 = 1 December 1958
| established_date7 = 13 August 1960
| established_date7 = 13 August 1960
| currency = {{ubl|{{nowr|[[French Equatorial African franc|FEA franc]]}}
| currency = {{ubl|{{nowr|[[French Equatorial African franc|FEA franc]]}}
|{{nowr|[[Central African CFA franc|CFA franc]]}}}}
|{{nowr|[[Central African CFA franc|CFA franc]]}}}}
| today = [[Central African Republic|CAR]]
| today = [[Central African Republic|CAR]]
| demonym =
| demonym = Ubangi-Sharian
| title_leader = [[List of governors-general of French Equatorial Africa|Commissioner General]]
⚫
| area_km2 =
| area_rank =
| leader1 = {{ill|Charles Noufflard|fr}}
| GDP_PPP =
| leader2 = [[Yvon Bourges]]
| GDP_PPP_year =
| year_leader1 = 1903
| HDI =
| year_leader2 = 1958–1960
| title_representative = [[List of heads of government of the Central African Republic|Prime Minister]]
⚫
| HDI_year =
| p1 = French Congo
| representative1 = [[Barthélemy Boganda]]
| year_representative1 = 1958–1959
⚫
| s1 = Central African Republic
| representative2 = [[Abel Goumba]]
⚫
| image_coat = Coat of arms of the Central African Republic (1958-1963).svg
| year_representative2 = 1959
⚫
| symbol_type = Coat of arms<br> (1958–1960)
| alt_coat = Coat of arms<br> (1958–1960)
| representative3 = [[David Dacko]]
| year_representative3 = 1959–1960
⚫
| area_km2 =
| area_rank =
| GDP_PPP =
| GDP_PPP_year =
| HDI =
⚫
| HDI_year =
| p1 = French Congo
⚫
| s1 = Central African Republic
⚫
| image_coat = Coat of arms of the Central African Republic (1958-1963).svg
⚫
| symbol_type = Coat of arms<br> (1958–1960)
| alt_coat = Coat of arms<br> (1958–1960)
}}
}}
[[File:Oubangui-Chari.jpg|thumb|Ubangi-Shari {{circa|lk=no|1910}}. Note the borders are reduced to the southeastern section of the present-day Central African Republic]]


⚫
'''Ubangi-Shari''' ({{langx|fr|Oubangui-Chari}}) was a [[French colonial empire|French colony]] in central Africa, a part of [[French Equatorial Africa]]. It was named after the [[Ubangi River|Ubangi]] and [[Chari River|Chari]] [[rivers of the Central African Republic|rivers]] along which it was colonised. It was established on 29 December 1903, from the Upper Ubangi (''{{lang|fr|Haut-Oubangui}}'') and Upper Shari (''{{lang|fr|Haut-Chari}}'') territories of the [[French Congo]]; renamed the [[Central African Republic]] (CAR) on 1 December 1958; and received independence on 13 August 1960.<ref name=WSM>''World Statesmen''. "[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Central_African_Republic.html Central African Republic] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513190426/http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Central_African_Republic.html |date=2020-05-13 }}." Accessed 29&nbsp;Mar 2014.</ref>
⚫
{{History of the Central African Republic|expanded=colonial}}

'''Ubangi-Shari''' ({{lang-fr|Oubangui-Chari}}) was a [[French colonial empire|French colony]] in central Africa, a part of [[French Equatorial Africa]].

⚫
It was named after the [[Ubangi River|Ubangi]] and [[Chari River|Chari]] [[rivers of the Central African Republic|rivers]] along which it was colonised. It was established on 29 December 1903, from the Upper Ubangi (''{{lang|fr|Haut-Oubangui}}'') and Upper Shari (''{{lang|fr|Haut-Chari}}'') territories of the [[French Congo]]; renamed the [[Central African Republic]] (CAR) on 1 December 1958; and received independence on 13 August 1960.<ref name=WSM>''World Statesmen''. "[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Central_African_Republic.html Central African Republic]." Accessed 29&nbsp;Mar 2014.</ref>


==History==
==History==
⚫
{{History of the Central African Republic|expanded=colonial}}

[[Third French Republic|French]] activity in the area began in 1889 with the establishment of the outpost [[Bangui|Bangi]] at the head of navigation on the [[Ubangi River|Ubangi]].
[[Third French Republic|French]] activity in the area began in 1889 with the establishment of the outpost [[Bangui|Bangi]] at the head of navigation on the [[Ubangi River|Ubangi]].


The Upper Ubangi was established as part of the [[French Congo]] on 9 December 1891. Despite a France-Congo Free State convention establishing a border around the [[4 degrees North|4th parallel]], the area was contested from 1892 to 1895 with the [[Congo Free State]], which claimed the region as its territory of Ubangi-Bomu (''{{lang|fr|Oubangui-Bomou}}''). The Upper Ubangi was a separate colony from 13 July 1894, until 10 December 1899, at which time it was folded back into the French Congo. The Upper Shari region was established as part of the French Congo on 5 September 1900.<ref name=WSM/> That same year the [[Company of the Upper Ubangi Sultanates]] took over 140,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> of Upper Ubangi as a [[Concession (contract)|concession]].<ref name=HDCAR>Richard Bradshaw and Juan Fandos-Rius, ''Historical Dictionary of the Central African Republic'' (Scarecrow Press, 2016), p. 176.</ref>
The Upper Ubangi was established as part of the [[French Congo]] on 9 December 1891. Despite a France-Congo Free State convention establishing a border around the [[4 degrees North|4th parallel]], the area was contested from 1892 to 1895 with the [[Congo Free State]], which claimed the region as its territory of Ubangi-Bomu (''{{lang|fr|Oubangui-Bomou}}''). The Upper Ubangi was a separate colony from 13 July 1894<nowiki/> until 10 December 1899, at which time it was folded back into the French Congo. The Upper Shari region was established as part of the French Congo on 5 September 1900.<ref name=WSM/> That same year the [[Company of the Upper Ubangi Sultanates]] took over 140,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> of Upper Ubangi as a [[Concession (contract)|concession]].<ref name=HDCAR>Richard Bradshaw and Juan Fandos-Rius, ''Historical Dictionary of the Central African Republic'' (Scarecrow Press, 2016), p. 176.</ref>


The territories were united as the separate colony of Ubangi-Shari on 29 December 1903,<ref name=WSM/> following the French defeat of [[Abbas II of Egypt]], who had claimed the area.{{citation needed|date=February 2010}} On 11 February 1906, this colony merged with the French settlements around [[Lake Chad]] and became the Ubangi-Shari territory of '''Ubangi-Shari-Chad''' (''{{lang|fr|Oubangui-Chari-Tchad}}'').<ref name=WSM/> In 1909, it received the administration over the sultanates of [[Zemio]] and [[Rafai]] from the [[Belgian Congo]].<ref>''World History at KMLA''. "[http://www.zum.de/whkmla/region/centrafrica/xcar.html Central African Republic]". Accessed 29&nbsp;Mar 2014.</ref>
The [[territories]] were united as the separate colony of Ubangi-Shari on 29 December 1903,<ref name=WSM/> following the French defeat of [[Abbas II of Egypt]], who had claimed the area.{{citation needed|date=February 2010}} On 11 February 1906, this colony merged with the French settlements around [[Lake Chad]] and became the Ubangi-Shari territory of '''Ubangi-Shari-Chad''' (''{{lang|fr|Oubangui-Chari-Tchad}}'').<ref name=WSM/> In [[1909]], it received the administration over the [[sultanates]] of [[Zemio]] and [[Rafai]] from the [[Belgian Congo]].<ref>''World History at KMLA''. "[http://www.zum.de/whkmla/region/centrafrica/xcar.html Central African Republic] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203151012/http://www.zum.de/whkmla/region/centrafrica/xcar.html |date=2020-02-03 }}". Accessed 29&nbsp;Mar 2014.</ref>


On 15 January 1910, this administration was merged with the French [[Middle Congo]] and [[Gabon]] as the Ubangi-Shari area of [[French Equatorial Africa]] (FEA). On 12 April 1916, it again became the separate colony of Ubangi-Shari, but in 1920 lost the territory around Lake Chad, and on 30 June 1934, was again folded into FEA. As a part of FEA, it was declared an [[French overseas territory|overseas territory]] on 31 December 1937.<ref name=WSM/>
On 15 January 1910, this administration was merged with [[French Congo]] and [[Gabon]] as the Ubangi-Shari area of [[French Equatorial Africa]] (FEA). On 12 April 1916, it again became the separate colony of Ubangi-Shari, but in 1920 lost the territory around Lake Chad, and on 30 June 1934, was again folded into FEA. As a part of FEA, it was declared an [[French overseas territory|overseas territory]] on 31 December 1937.<ref name=WSM/>


Between 1915 and 1931, stamps were overprinted for use in Ubangi-Shari, and later specially printed for the colony.
Between 1915 and 1931, stamps were overprinted for use in Ubangi-Shari, and later specially printed for the colony.
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=== Concession systems and atrocities ===
=== Concession systems and atrocities ===
Ubangi-Shari had a similar concession system as the Congo Free State and similar atrocities were also committed there. French author and Nobel laureate [[André Gide]] travelled to Ubangi-Shari and was told by inhabitants about atrocities including [[Mutilation|mutilations]], [[Dismemberment|dismemberments]], [[executions]], the burning of children, and villagers being forcefully bound to large beams and made to walk until dropping from exhaustion and thirst.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nossiter |first=Adam |date=2014-01-10 |title=Colonial Ghosts Continue to Haunt France |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/08/world/africa/colonial-ghosts-continue-to-haunt-france.html |access-date=2023-01-31 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=2023-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214074432/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/08/world/africa/colonial-ghosts-continue-to-haunt-france.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


Ubangi-Shari had a similar concession system as the Congo Free State and similar atrocities were also committed there. Writer André Gide travelled to Ubangi-Shari and was told by inhabitants about atrocities including mutilations, dismemberments, executions, the burning of children, and villagers being forcefully bound to large beams and made to walk until dropping from exhaustion and thirst.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nossiter |first=Adam |date=2014-01-10 |title=Colonial Ghosts Continue to Haunt France |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/08/world/africa/colonial-ghosts-continue-to-haunt-france.html |access-date=2023-01-31 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The book "Travels to Congo" by Gide, published in 1927 describes the horrors of the concession companies in French Equatorial Africa. The book had an important impact on the anti-colonialist movement in France.<ref> Voyage au Congo suivi du Retour du Tchad Archived 16 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine, in Lire, July–August 1995 (in French)</ref> The number of victims under the French concession system in Ubangi-Shari and other parts of French Equatorial Africa remains unknown.
The book "Travels to Congo" by Gide, published in 1927 describes the horrors of the concession companies in French Equatorial Africa. The book had an important impact on the anti-colonialist movement in France.<ref> Voyage au Congo suivi du Retour du Tchad Archived 16 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine, in Lire, July–August 1995 (in French)</ref> The number of victims under the French concession system in Ubangi-Shari and other parts of French Equatorial Africa remains unknown.


==See also==
==See also==
[[File:Oubangui-Chari. Portions navigables des cours d'eau - btv1b84589943.jpg|thumb|left|Rivers and [[navigable waterways]] of Ubangi-Shari, 1931]]
[[File:Soldiers of the Forces Françaises Libres near Bangui.jpg|thumb|left|Soldiers of the [[Forces Françaises Libres]] near Bangui, 1940]]
* [[Postage stamps and postal history of Ubangi-Shari]]
* [[Postage stamps and postal history of Ubangi-Shari]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==

Latest revision as of 19:12, 8 November 2024

7°N 20°E / 7°N 20°E / 7; 20

Ubangi-Shari
Oubangui-Chari (French)
1903–1960
Flag of Ubangi-Shari
Flag
Coat of arms (1958–1960)
Coat of arms
(1958–1960)
Anthem: "La Marseillaise"
  •   Before 1916
  •   After 1916
  •   French Equatorial Africa
  •   French possessions
  •   French Republic
StatusColony of France
Capital
Official languageFrench
Commonly spoken
Sango
Demonym(s)Ubangi-Sharian
Commissioner General 
• 1903
Charles Noufflard [fr]
• 1958–1960
Yvon Bourges
Prime Minister 
• 1958–1959
Barthélemy Boganda
• 1959
Abel Goumba
• 1959–1960
David Dacko
Establishment
• Established
29 December 1903
15 January 1910
12 April 1916
30 June 1934
31 December 1937
• Autonomy as CAR
1 December 1958
13 August 1960
Currency
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
French Congo
Central African Republic
Today part ofCAR

Ubangi-Shari (French: Oubangui-Chari) was a French colony in central Africa, a part of French Equatorial Africa. It was named after the Ubangi and Chari rivers along which it was colonised. It was established on 29 December 1903, from the Upper Ubangi (Haut-Oubangui) and Upper Shari (Haut-Chari) territories of the French Congo; renamed the Central African Republic (CAR) on 1 December 1958; and received independence on 13 August 1960.[1]

History

[edit]
Part of a series on the
  • History of the
  • Central African Republic
Early history
Colonial period
Independence
Current period

French activity in the area began in 1889 with the establishment of the outpost Bangi at the head of navigation on the Ubangi.

The Upper Ubangi was established as part of the French Congo on 9 December 1891. Despite a France-Congo Free State convention establishing a border around the 4th parallel, the area was contested from 1892 to 1895 with the Congo Free State, which claimed the region as its territory of Ubangi-Bomu (Oubangui-Bomou). The Upper Ubangi was a separate colony from 13 July 1894 until 10 December 1899, at which time it was folded back into the French Congo. The Upper Shari region was established as part of the French Congo on 5 September 1900.[1] That same year the Company of the Upper Ubangi Sultanates took over 140,000 km2 of Upper Ubangi as a concession.[2]

The territories were united as the separate colony of Ubangi-Shari on 29 December 1903,[1] following the French defeat of Abbas II of Egypt, who had claimed the area.[citation needed] On 11 February 1906, this colony merged with the French settlements around Lake Chad and became the Ubangi-Shari territory of Ubangi-Shari-Chad (Oubangui-Chari-Tchad).[1] In 1909, it received the administration over the sultanates of Zemio and Rafai from the Belgian Congo.[3]

On 15 January 1910, this administration was merged with French Congo and Gabon as the Ubangi-Shari area of French Equatorial Africa (FEA). On 12 April 1916, it again became the separate colony of Ubangi-Shari, but in 1920 lost the territory around Lake Chad, and on 30 June 1934, was again folded into FEA. As a part of FEA, it was declared an overseas territory on 31 December 1937.[1]

Between 1915 and 1931, stamps were overprinted for use in Ubangi-Shari, and later specially printed for the colony.

During World War II, it remained loyal to Vichy France from 16 June to 29 August 1940, before being taken by the Free French. It was granted autonomy as the Central African Republic on 1 December 1958, and independence under the same name on 13 August 1960.[1]

Concession systems and atrocities

[edit]

Ubangi-Shari had a similar concession system as the Congo Free State and similar atrocities were also committed there. French author and Nobel laureate André Gide travelled to Ubangi-Shari and was told by inhabitants about atrocities including mutilations, dismemberments, executions, the burning of children, and villagers being forcefully bound to large beams and made to walk until dropping from exhaustion and thirst.[4]

The book "Travels to Congo" by Gide, published in 1927 describes the horrors of the concession companies in French Equatorial Africa. The book had an important impact on the anti-colonialist movement in France.[5] The number of victims under the French concession system in Ubangi-Shari and other parts of French Equatorial Africa remains unknown.

See also

[edit]
Rivers and navigable waterways of Ubangi-Shari, 1931
Soldiers of the Forces Françaises Libres near Bangui, 1940

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f World Statesmen. "Central African Republic Archived 2020-05-13 at the Wayback Machine." Accessed 29 Mar 2014.
  2. ^ Richard Bradshaw and Juan Fandos-Rius, Historical Dictionary of the Central African Republic (Scarecrow Press, 2016), p. 176.
  3. ^ World History at KMLA. "Central African Republic Archived 2020-02-03 at the Wayback Machine". Accessed 29 Mar 2014.
  4. ^ Nossiter, Adam (2014-01-10). "Colonial Ghosts Continue to Haunt France". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2023-02-14. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  5. ^ Voyage au Congo suivi du Retour du Tchad Archived 16 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine, in Lire, July–August 1995 (in French)
[edit]
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