Pre-Colonial history

From archaeological evidence it is known that humans have inhabited Cameroon for at least 50,000 years, and there is strong evidence of the existence of important kingdoms and states in more recent times. Of these, the most widely known is Sao, which arose in the vicinity of Lake Chad, probably in the 5th century AD. This kingdom reached its height from the 9th to the 15th centuries, after which it was conquered and destroyed by the Kotoko State, which extended over large portions of northern Cameroon and Nigeria. Kotoko was incorporated into the Bornu empire during the reign of Rabih az-Zubayr (Rabah) in the late 19th century, and its people became Muslims.
Islam became a powerful force in the northern and central portions of the country through conquest, immigration, and the spread of commerce from north and northwestern Africa. The most significant bearers of this faith, the Fulani, entered northern Cameroon beginning in the 18th century. The first small groups of pastoralists were welcomed by the host populations. Eventually the Fulani, frustrated under non-Muslim rule and encouraged by the teachings of the mystic Usman dan Fodio, revolted. In the early 1800s Modibbo Adama was appointed by Usman to lead a jihad over large areas centred in northern Nigeria, which were incorporated into Usman''s Sokoto empire.
The Fulani expansion reached its southernmost point with the conquest of Bamoum, a kingdom founded in the 17th century by Nshare, the son of a Tikar chief. Bamoum was one of the largest of numerous kingdoms that emerged in the grassland areas of Cameroon at least 300 years ago. The Fulani conquest was brief and did not result in Islamization, although this faith was accepted by a later ruler, Sultan Njoya, in the early 20th century.

Colonial history

In 1472 the Portuguese Fernando Pôo the 1rst European to view the Cameroon coast. Cameroon became a source, with slaves sold and traded at Bimbia, Douala, and other ports. In the early 1800s the slave trade declined, and attention turned to trade in rubber, palm oil, and other items. Later Portuguese and Dutch influences were largely replaced by the British and the Germans. Christian missionaries were also a factor.

In spite of the predominant role of the British along the coast, in 1884 the Germans claimed the region. The explorer Nachtigal arrived in July 1884 to annex the Douala coast. The Germans moved inland over the years, extending their control and their claims. Plantation agriculture was beside trade a major German economic activity. The system established was harsh, and many workers died serving German interests.

In World War I British, French and Belgian African troops drove out the Germans, beginning a period of British rule in two small portions and French rule in the remainder of the territory. These League of Nations mandates were referred to as French Cameroon and British Cameroons. British rule was a period of neglect. This, coupled with the influx of numerous Nigerians, caused great resentment. The old German plantations eventually united into a single parastatal, the Cameroon Development Corporation was the mainstay of the economy. Cocoa, coffee, and banana production saw rapid growth. Greater agricultural development took place in French Cameroon. Limited industrial and infrastructural growth also occurred, largely after World War II. Most important, by the time of independence, the trusts produced raw materials for European industries but were dependent on Europe, and especially France, for finished goods. This fragile economy continues even today to plague Cameroon.

After World War II, developments in Cameroon brought about independence. In British Cameroons the major question was whether to remain with Nigeria or to rejoin Cameroon. In a plebiscite in 1961, the south decided to reunify with French Cameroon to become the Federal Republic of Cameroon. The north voted to join Nigeria.

In French Cameroon the major question was the type and intensity of the relationship with France after independence. The party, the Cameroon People''s Union (UPC) led by Moumie and Um Nyobe, demanded a break with France and the construction of a socialist economy. French officials suppressed the UPC, leading to a civil war, while encouraging alternative political leaders. On Jan. 1, 1960, independence was granted, with Ahidjo the first president. Ahidjo and his party, the Cameroon Union, pledged to build a capitalist economy and to maintain close ties to France.

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