First European Contacts to First Independent Government

Exploration & Conquest

The palace of the Sheikh of Bornu
as sketched by Dixon Denham

Modern-day Chad was first explored in 1822 by two Englishmen - Dixon Denham and Hugh Clapperton.  They were followed many years later by two Germans - Heinrich Barth in 1853 and Gustav Nachtigal in 1870.  Seeing an opportunity, France met with Germany in 1849 to set boundaries. [1] Their first claim came in 1887 when they acquired an area south of Chad called Oubangui-Chari. [2] Next, they met with England to set their northern border. This gave them the territory of Chad. [3] 

With their claims staked out, France moved in. Expeditions found the forces of Rabih az-Zubayr, a slave trader in southern Chad and they defeated him in the Battle of Kousseri. [4] It took them eleven years to conquer the Muslim states in the north. [5] By 1913, the French had completed their conquest of Chad. [6]

Chad - Colony of France

Now called the Military Territory of Chad, the country, having separated from France's largest colony, became a part of French Equatorial Africa. [7] This confederation included three other colonies to the south - Gabon, Middle Congo, and Uubangi-Chari. [8] 

Chad was ruled by a French civilian administration which was located in different colony.  Although this government embraced a sort of "live and let live" policy when it came to the northern African trade routes, the south was used chiefly for gaining wealth.  Cheap labor was sent south to other colonies.  After large scale economic development improved cotton production, Chad became a huge source.  Plantations had to reach a specific quota and the French bought at low prices.  The government lacked unifying policies and was characterized by neglect. [9]

Political Progression 

This all began to change in 1940 when Felix Eboue, a lieutenant governor, led Chad to support Charles de Gaulle during World War II.  They were the first French colony to do so.  Eboue tried to improve the modernization vs. culture situation but died when his plans were only partially realized. He was able, however, to secure African representation in France in 1946.  Chadian delegates were now being sent to the French General Council.  Soon, Africans became French citizens and reformed abolished forced labor. [10] In 1955, Chadians were given the right to hold civil service positions.

When the French National Assembly passed an enabling act (Overseas Reform Act), Chad and other territories were given greater self rule. [11] Chad voted to become an autonomous republic on September 28, 1958, and the Republic of Chad came to be on November 26 of that year.  Full and official independence was granted on August 11 of 1960.  The new constitution and government was set up two years later on April 4th with Tombalbaye as President. [12] 

Timeline of Important Events

1822: First exploration
1849: Conference with Germany to set borders
1887: France claims its territories
1989: Conference with England to set borders
1913: Conquest complete
1920: Chad becomes a colony, part of the French Equatorial Africa Confederation
1940: Chad becomes first colony to declare loyalty to Free France
1946: Chad gets representation in the French General Council
1956: Overseas Reform Act gives Chad greater self rule
1958: Colony becomes a republic
1960: Chad receives full independence
1962: Tombalbaye's government is set up





[1] "Chad - History", http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Chad-HISTORY.html.
[2] "French Chad", http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Chad.
[3] "Chad - History", http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Chad-HISTORY.html.
[4] "French Chad", http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Chad.
[5] "French Equatorial Africa", http://www.discoverfrance.net/Colonies/Eq_Africa.shtml.
[6] "Chad - History", http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Chad-HISTORY.html.
[7] "French Chad", http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Chad.
[8] "French Equatorial Africa", http://www.discoverfrance.net/Colonies/Eq_Africa.shtml.
[9] "French Chad", http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Chad.
[10] "French Chad", http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Chad.
[11] "French Chad", http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Chad.
[12] "Chad - History", http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Chad-HISTORY.html.