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Source

Bibliographic data

Fomenky, Robert; Gwanfogbe, Mathew: Histoire du Cameroun, Cours moyen. Vol. 5/6. Yaoundé: Centre d'Édition et de Production pour l'Enseignement et de la Recherche (CEPER), 1989, 52.

"The explorers"

In the source the Europeans are described as explorers of Cameroon. Previous sections of the textbook have addressed the traders and missionaries who had settled in Cameroon since the fifteenth century. Initially the Europeans did not proceed further to the inland. However, by the end of the nineteenth century exploration had been followed by colonization.

Fomenky, Robert

Gwanfogbe, Mathew

The book Histoire du Cameroun (History of Cameroon) is designed for pupils in years 5 and 6 of primary school, who are taught an overview of history from pre-colonial times up to the present. The authors particularly focus on the history of Africa.

Centre d'Édition et de Production pour l'Enseignement et de la Recherche (CEPER)

[p. 52]

The Explorers

The Europeans exercised a continuous presence along the coast of Cameroon from the 15th century onwards. But they did not undertake an exploration of the country’s interior until the 19th century. Until then, the Europeans considered Africa to be the "dark continent" because it remained unexplored. The Europeans searched for navigable rivers and regions where they could conduct trade. They also tried to spread their religion, Christianity, and their own lifestyle. It is important to recognise that there were those who were simply interested in discovering whatever life in this part of the African continent could teach them. However, at the end of the 19th century, the European powers were ready for the conquest and colonisation of Cameroon.

The first explorers arrived before 1884, the date of colonisation. Then there were the Germans, who came to explore the country with the aim of conquest and commerce.

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