History of Cameroon

A Written History

Out of all the continents in the world, to me, Africa is the one with the most interesting history. European colonization is the most interesting part of Africa’s history to me. European colonization plays a large part in the history of my assigned country, Cameroon. Cameroon may be one of the more basic and quiet countries in Africa, but after digging deeper, I managed to find some interesting information which I have put together in this article.

Where does Cameroon’s history begin? Well the earliest major reference to Cameroon is from 500 B.C. when the explorer Hanno spotted Mount Cameroon. Between 200 and 100 B.C. the first Bantu tribesman began their immigration to Cameroon. The first inhabitants of Cameroon were the Baka Pygmies. To this day they still inhabit the forests of Cameroon. Cameroon became a Muslim country when, between the 1770s and 1800s, an Islamic group called the Fulani attacked northern Cameroon and removed all non-Muslims from the area.

European colonization of Cameroon began as early as the 1500s. At this time, the Portuguese arrived in Cameroon but could not settle because of an outbreak of Malaria. Going forward to the 1870s, a malaria suppressant known as quinine became available which allowed the Europeans to inhabit Cameroon. The Europeans used Cameroon as a station for trade and slave trafficking. Cameroon played a very large role in the Muslim slave network. However, the slave trade was dissolved in the mid-19^th century.

In the 19^th century, Christian mission arrived in Cameroon and Christianity became a primary religion for the country. Christianity played a large role in Cameroon’s development during this time.

European Cameroon played a part in World War 1. Cameroon came under German control in 1884 and the name was changed to Kamerun. Kamerun stayed under German rule until Germany’s defeat in the Great War. After the Germans gave up Kamerun, its control was shared between the British and French. France slowly began to expand its control and took over many neighboring colonies.

Independence became a big issue in Cameroon in 1955 when an illegal group called Union of the Peoples of Cameroon began to fight for independence. This rebellion was long lasting and resulted in death estimates between tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of people. Even after independence was granted the rebellion still continued on.

Cameroon was granted independence in 1960 and became the Republic of Cameroon. In 1961, the northern area of Cameroon which was Muslim decided to join Nigeria. The southern area decided to stay where they were and became the Federal Republic of Cameroon.

The very first President of the new federation was named Ahmadou Ahidjo. While serving as president he made all political parties besides his own illegal. He also helped end the UPC rebellion by capturing their leader. Ahidjo’s presidency was ended in 1982 and he was succeeded by Paul Biya who remains President of Cameroon to this day.

Population Chart

A Chart of the Population of Cameroon

1970-6.771 million
1971-6.949 million
1972-7.134 million
1973-7.328 million
1974-7.53 million
1975-7.74 million
1976-7.96 million
1977-8.188 million
1978-8.426 million
1979-8.674 million
1980-8.932 million
1981-9.201 million
1982-9.481 million
1983-9.771 million
1984-10.07 million
1985-10.38 million
1986-10.7 million
1987-11.03 million
1988-11.37 million
1989-11.72 million
1990-12.07 million
1991-12.43 million
1992-12.8 million
1993-13.17 million
1994-13.55 million
1995-13.93 million
1996-14.32 million
1997-14.71 million
1998-15.11 million
1999-15.51 million
2000-15.93 million
2001-16.35 million
2002-16.78 million
2003-17.22 million
2004-17.67 million
2005-18.13 million
2006-18.6 million
2007-19.08 million
2008-19.57 million
2009-20.07 million
2010-20.59 million
2011-21.12 million
2012-21.66 million
2013-22.21 million
2014-22.77 million
2015-23.34 million
2016-23.924 million
2017-24.513 million