Notes on Samory Touré and the Samorian Wars

Samory Touré and the Wassoulou Empire

• Time Period: 1838-1897
• Events: Engaged in the Samorian Wars against French imperial efforts (1881-1898).
• Key Actions:
  • Local kingdoms sought French rule as a means to combat Touré’s expansion.
  • In 1885, Touré requested to become a British protectorate, which was denied.

French Imperial Rationales

• Source Reference: Amedou Hampate Ba's L'atrnage destin de Wangrin (1973)
  • Describes the atrocities committed by Touré, which led the people of Nubigu to view the French as liberators.
  • Quote: "It was the French that came and stopped Samori, this bloodthirsty king… We paid homage to the French."
  • Analysis: This perspective supports French colonial rationales by portraying their actions as humanitarian intervention.

Key Concepts and Themes

• Economic Exploitation:

  • European justification rooted in claims of liberation from oppressive local rulers.
  • Utilization of heavy taxation and economic control by local powers.

• Military Grievances:

  • Poor pay and lack of opportunities for native soldiers (Sepoys) led to rebellions in other colonies.

The End of the Wassoulou Empire

• Defeat: The Wassoulou Empire was defeated by France.
• Independence of French-Occupied Guinea:
  • Year of Independence: 1958
  • First President: Ahmed Sékou Touré

Indian Rebellion of 1857

• Background:
  • Sepoys: Indian soldiers serving in the East India Company’s (EIC) army (50,000 British soldiers and 300,000 Indian soldiers).
  • Trigger: Discontent due to the use of greased cartridges causing a mutiny in May 1857.
• Events:
  • Rapid spread of the rebellion with the seizure of Delhi.
  • Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II declared sovereign ruler of India.