French expansion and conquest in West Africa (1886–1914)

1. French push beyond coastal enclaves accelerates

   Jan 1, 1886Labels: Senegal, Niger River

   • Britannica
   • ASNOM

2. France captures and occupies Abomey

   Nov 17, 1892Labels: Abomey, Kingdom of

   • SHD
   • Oxford

3. Dahomey becomes a French protectorate

   Jan 29, 1895Labels: Dahomey Protectorate, French Colonial

   • SHD

4. French West Africa federation is created

   Jun 16, 1895Labels: French West, AOF

   • ASNOM
   • ICJ

5. French artillery takes Sikasso after siege

   May 1, 1898Labels: Sikasso, K n

   • Babemba

6. France and Britain sign Niger border convention

   Jun 14, 1898Labels: France, Britain

   • Britannica
   • NigerConv

7. Samori Touré is captured by French forces

   Sep 29, 1898Labels: Samori Tour, Wassoulou Empire

   • Mandingo
   • Wikimedia

8. Voulet–Chanoine expedition advances toward Lake Chad

   Jan 1, 1899Labels: Voulet Chanoine, Lake Chad

   • Mission
   • Lougou

9. Zinder is occupied during Sahel campaigns

   Jul 30, 1899Labels: Zinder, Sahel

   • Zinder
   • Damagaram

10. Third Military Territory created at Zinder

    Jul 23, 1900Labels: Third Military, Zinder

    • ICJ

11. Coppolani begins “peaceful penetration” in Mauritania

    Jan 1, 1901Labels: Xavier Coppolani, Mauritania

    • Mauritania
    • Britannica

12. Federation reorganizes as Upper Senegal and Niger

    Jan 1, 1904Labels: Upper Senegal, Colonial Reorganization

    • Britannica

13. France takes Abéché and claims Wadai

    Jun 13, 1909Labels: Ab ch, Wadai

    • Wadai

14. Prewar colonial borders and administrations largely settle

    Aug 1, 1914Labels: Prewar Consolidation, French West

    • Britannica
    • ASNOM