ABSTRACT
A geographical unity is given to the whole of West Africa from Mauretania to Nigeria by its common hinterland, centring round the Niger and Senegal basins and depending on the long sweep of coast. The history of every part of West Africa, therefore, has been the story of the occupation of the coast and a gradual linking-up with the interior. The stage was all set for the linking of the West African ports to a common hinterland of some 412 million square kilometres, and step by step France went on. West Africa was divided amongst a few strong native confederacies, whose organization served both to hinder the French during the stage of conquest and to help them once the moment of consolidation was at hand. West Africa was divided amongst a few strong native confederacies, whose organization served both to hinder the French during the stage of conquest and to help them once the moment of consolidation was at hand.
