History

History of Cameroon

A timeline of dated events and longer articles, each linked to its sources. Dates show only the precision the sources support.

The arcaded brick facade of the Sultan's palace at Foumban, framed by palm trees under a blue sky.
The Sultan's palace, Foumban, West (photographed 1991)Photo: Albert Backer / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Precolonial kingdoms, chiefdoms and community histories are on our research backlog. They are not covered yet, and their absence here does not mean they matter less.

Periods

Choose a period to filter the timeline.

  1. Awaiting research

    Precolonial

    Kingdoms, chiefdoms and trade networks before European rule. On our research backlog.

  2. 2 events

    German Kamerun

    The German protectorate and colony, and the First World War campaign.

  3. 1 event

    Mandates and trusteeship

    British and French Cameroons under the League of Nations and the United Nations.

  4. 3 events

    Independence

    Nationalist politics, independence and the 1961 plebiscites.

  5. 1 event

    Federal Republic

    The federation of East and West Cameroon.

  6. 3 events

    Unitary state

    The United Republic and the Republic of Cameroon.

  7. 2 events

    Contemporary

    Constitutional change and recent political developments.

Timeline

Clear filters

2 events shown

  1. Referendum establishing the United Republic of Cameroon

    A referendum on 20 May 1972 replaced the federation with a unitary state, the United Republic of Cameroon. 20 May is celebrated as National Day.

    Unitary statePoliticsConstitution

  2. Country renamed Republic of Cameroon

    In 1984 the United Republic of Cameroon was renamed the Republic of Cameroon.

    Unitary statePoliticsConstitution

Articles

Longer reading, with numbered citations.