Encyclopedia/3. History, Societies & Civilizations/09. Modern Nations/01. Africa • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
History of Togo (AI-generated, sourced to Wikipedia).
Chronological Storyline (30 Milestones)
1600 CE
Ewe migrations settle region
Ewe-speaking peoples migrated into the area between the Mono and Volta rivers, establishing communities and chieftaincies that shaped Togo's ethnic landscape. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Flag of the Ewe people. By Mysid - Self-drawn in CorelDraw, based on a FOTW flag ([1]), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=729867
1700 CE
Slave trade dominates coast
European traders established forts along the 'Slave Coast,' exporting enslaved Africans from the region that would become Togo. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Flag of Togo By See File history below for details. - BASED ON THIS SOURCE: Flags of the World - Togo. See also: Vexilla Mundi - Togo, which gives the ratio as 3:2. Znamierowski, Alfred. 2019. The World Encyclopedia of Flags: An Illustrated Guide to International Flags, Banners, Standards and Ensigns. Lorenz Books. (page 219) Dk. 2021. Complete Flags of the World: The Ultimate Pocket Guide. National Geographic Books. (page 131), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=433064
Jul 5, 1884 CE
German protectorate established
King Mlapa of Togoville signed a treaty with German explorer Gustav Nachtigal, establishing German Togoland as a colonial possession. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Inoffizielle Variante der Kaiserreichsflagge mit Hoheitszeichen, Deutsches Reich, 1871–1918 By Original: Imperial Colonial Office of the German Empire Vector: David Liuzzo - Own work, based on various photographs of physical flags such as the one depicted in File:Reichskolonialflagge WWI Imperial German colonial flag 1884–1918 Photo JC PLE 2022. Warriors Gate M.O.T.H. Museum of Militaria, Durban, South Africa.jpg – (Flickr source), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4481199
1897 CE
Lomé designated colonial capital
Germany established Lomé as the administrative capital of Togoland, leveraging its coastal position for trade. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Vue prise au 27e étage de l’hôtel 2 février By Reich geck - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=167792609
Aug 1, 1914 CE
Allied forces invade Togoland
British and French troops invaded German Togoland at the outbreak of World War I, quickly overwhelming the small German colonial force. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Map of the German colony of Togoland, 1914 By O'Neill, H. C. (Herbert Charles), 1879-1953 - Author: O'Neill, H. C. (Herbert Charles), 1879-1953 Subject: World War, 1914-1918 Publisher: London Longmans, Green Language: English Call number: AHO-9444 Digitizing sponsor: University of Toronto Book contributor: Robarts - University of Toronto Collection: robarts; toronto Full catalog record: MARCXML, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31320161
1916 CE
Togoland partitioned by Allies
Britain and France divided Togoland into separate administrative zones, setting the stage for the country's eventual split. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Inoffizielle Variante der Kaiserreichsflagge mit Hoheitszeichen, Deutsches Reich, 1871–1918 By Original: Imperial Colonial Office of the German Empire Vector: David Liuzzo - Own work, based on various photographs of physical flags such as the one depicted in File:Reichskolonialflagge WWI Imperial German colonial flag 1884–1918 Photo JC PLE 2022. Warriors Gate M.O.T.H. Museum of Militaria, Durban, South Africa.jpg – (Flickr source), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4481199
1922 CE
League of Nations mandates
The League of Nations formally granted Britain and France mandates over their respective portions of former German Togoland. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
League of Nations mandates By Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76165
1946 CE
UN Trust Territories established
British and French Togoland became United Nations Trust Territories, with France administering the larger eastern portion. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
The flag of the United Kingdom using a 3:5 ratio. This flag is the Union Flag in the 3:5 ratio exclusively used on land. At sea, the correct ratio is 1:2. By Original: Acts of Union 1800 Vector: Yaddah - Design data from http://fotw.vexillum.com/flags/gb.html; original code is from Image:Flag of the United Kingdom (1-2).svg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=127049491
May 1, 1956 CE
British Togoland joins Ghana
A UN-organized plebiscite resulted in British Togoland voting to join the Gold Coast, which became independent Ghana the following year. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
The flag of the United Kingdom using a 3:5 ratio. This flag is the Union Flag in the 3:5 ratio exclusively used on land. At sea, the correct ratio is 1:2. By Original: Acts of Union 1800 Vector: Yaddah - Design data from http://fotw.vexillum.com/flags/gb.html; original code is from Image:Flag of the United Kingdom (1-2).svg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=127049491
Apr 27, 1960 CE
Togo gains independence
French Togoland became the independent Republic of Togo, with Sylvanus Olympio as its first president. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Flag of Togo By See File history below for details. - BASED ON THIS SOURCE: Flags of the World - Togo. See also: Vexilla Mundi - Togo, which gives the ratio as 3:2. Znamierowski, Alfred. 2019. The World Encyclopedia of Flags: An Illustrated Guide to International Flags, Banners, Standards and Ensigns. Lorenz Books. (page 219) Dk. 2021. Complete Flags of the World: The Ultimate Pocket Guide. National Geographic Books. (page 131), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=433064
Apr 1, 1961 CE
Olympio elected president
Sylvanus Olympio won Togo's first presidential election under the new republic, consolidating his leadership. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Title: München, Präsident von Togo Extra information: Der Staatspräsident von Togo, Sylvanus Olympio, zu Besuch in Bayern; Empfang im Hotel Continental München People in the image: Olympio, Sylvanus: Präsident, Togo (GND 124746020) For documentary purposes the German Federal Archive often retained the original image captions, which may be erroneous, biased, obsolete or politically extreme. Factual corrections and alternative descriptions are encouraged separately from the original description. Additionally errors can be reported at this page to inform the Bundesarchiv. Alemannisch | العربية | Boarisch | беларуская | беларуская (тарашкевіца) | català | čeština | Deutsch | English | Esperanto | español | suomi | français | हिन्दी | hrvatski | magyar | italiano | 한국어 | македонски | Plattdüütsch | polski | português | română | русский | sicilianu | slovenčina | slovenščina | svenska | українська | 中文 | 中文（简体） | 中文（繁體） | +/− Original historic description: Staatspräsident von Togo, Olympio, Empfang im Hotel "Continental" in München By Ludwig Wegmann - This file was derived from: Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F010355-0005, München, Präsident von Togo.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11154017
Jan 13, 1963 CE
President Olympio assassinated
President Sylvanus Olympio was killed in a military coup led by sergeants including Gnassingbé Eyadéma, marking Togo's first violent change of government. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Map of Togo By Alvaro1984 18 - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7423615
Jan 13, 1967 CE
Eyadéma seizes power
Gnassingbé Eyadéma led a bloodless military coup, establishing himself as president and beginning a 38-year authoritarian rule. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Map of Togo By Alvaro1984 18 - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7423615
1969 CE
RPT single party founded
Eyadéma established the Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) as the sole legal political party, centralizing power under military rule. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Flag of Togo By See File history below for details. - BASED ON THIS SOURCE: Flags of the World - Togo. See also: Vexilla Mundi - Togo, which gives the ratio as 3:2. Znamierowski, Alfred. 2019. The World Encyclopedia of Flags: An Illustrated Guide to International Flags, Banners, Standards and Ensigns. Lorenz Books. (page 219) Dk. 2021. Complete Flags of the World: The Ultimate Pocket Guide. National Geographic Books. (page 131), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=433064
Aug 1, 1972 CE
Togo debuts at Olympics
Togo sent its first delegation to the Munich Olympic Games, marking the country's entry into international sporting competition. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Flag of Togo By See File history below for details. - BASED ON THIS SOURCE: Flags of the World - Togo. See also: Vexilla Mundi - Togo, which gives the ratio as 3:2. Znamierowski, Alfred. 2019. The World Encyclopedia of Flags: An Illustrated Guide to International Flags, Banners, Standards and Ensigns. Lorenz Books. (page 219) Dk. 2021. Complete Flags of the World: The Ultimate Pocket Guide. National Geographic Books. (page 131), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=433064
1974 CE
Phosphate industry nationalized
Eyadéma's government nationalized the phosphate mining industry, Togo's most important export, to increase state revenue. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Phosphate Mining at SNPT (Societe Nouvelle des Phosphates de Togo), 2007-12-02 By Александра Пугачевская (Alexandra Pugachevsky) - Alexandra Pugachevsky (Александра Пугачевская), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23580777
Sep 24, 1986 CE
Failed coup against Eyadéma
An armed attack on Lomé by exiled dissidents failed to overthrow Eyadéma, who tightened security and suppressed opposition. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Map of Togo By Alvaro1984 18 - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7423615
Aug 1, 1991 CE
National Conference opens
A national conference convened to draft democratic reforms, stripping Eyadéma of many powers and establishing a transitional government. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Flag of Togo By See File history below for details. - BASED ON THIS SOURCE: Flags of the World - Togo. See also: Vexilla Mundi - Togo, which gives the ratio as 3:2. Znamierowski, Alfred. 2019. The World Encyclopedia of Flags: An Illustrated Guide to International Flags, Banners, Standards and Ensigns. Lorenz Books. (page 219) Dk. 2021. Complete Flags of the World: The Ultimate Pocket Guide. National Geographic Books. (page 131), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=433064
Sep 1, 1992 CE
New constitution adopted
Togo approved a new multiparty constitution by referendum, introducing democratic institutions and term limits. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Armoiries du Togo By Edem Fiadjoe - Government websites, social media and publications. Examples: 1, 2 and 3., CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=99589087
Mar 1, 1993 CE
Eyadéma reelected amid boycott
Eyadéma won a disputed presidential election that the main opposition boycotted, drawing international criticism of the process. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Map of the results by region of the 1993 Togolese presidential election By FelipeRev - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=180869846
Jun 1, 1998 CE
Eyadéma claims contested victory
Eyadéma was declared winner of the presidential election amid widespread allegations of fraud, leading to EU sanctions. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Map of the results by region of the 1998 Togolese presidential election By FelipeRev - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113197277
Dec 1, 2002 CE
Term limits removed
Parliament dominated by Eyadéma's party amended the constitution to remove presidential term limits, allowing him to run again. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Armoiries du Togo By Edem Fiadjoe - Government websites, social media and publications. Examples: 1, 2 and 3., CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=99589087
Feb 5, 2005 CE
Eyadéma dies in office
Gnassingbé Eyadéma, Africa's longest-serving ruler at the time, died after 38 years in power, triggering a succession crisis. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
President Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo departs after a state visit. By SrA Felicia Wilson - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5659201
Feb 7, 2005 CE
Faure Gnassingbé installed
The military installed Eyadéma's son Faure Gnassingbé as president, drawing international condemnation before he agreed to elections. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
On September 28, 2022, Prime Minister Kishida held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé Eyadéma, President of the Republic of Togo, at the Guest House Akasaka Palace. By 内閣官房内閣広報室 - https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/101_kishida/actions/202209/28kaidan4.html, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=123847590
Apr 1, 2005 CE
Faure wins disputed election
Faure Gnassingbé won a presidential election marred by fraud allegations and deadly violence, with thousands fleeing the country. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Armoiries du Togo By Edem Fiadjoe - Government websites, social media and publications. Examples: 1, 2 and 3., CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=99589087
Jun 1, 2006 CE
Togo debuts at World Cup
Togo's national football team participated in its first FIFA World Cup in Germany, a landmark for the small nation's sporting history. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Flag of Togo By See File history below for details. - BASED ON THIS SOURCE: Flags of the World - Togo. See also: Vexilla Mundi - Togo, which gives the ratio as 3:2. Znamierowski, Alfred. 2019. The World Encyclopedia of Flags: An Illustrated Guide to International Flags, Banners, Standards and Ensigns. Lorenz Books. (page 219) Dk. 2021. Complete Flags of the World: The Ultimate Pocket Guide. National Geographic Books. (page 131), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=433064
Mar 1, 2010 CE
Faure reelected president
Faure Gnassingbé won a second term in an election again criticized by the opposition for irregularities despite some improvements. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Armoiries du Togo By Edem Fiadjoe - Government websites, social media and publications. Examples: 1, 2 and 3., CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=99589087
Apr 1, 2015 CE
Faure wins third term
Faure Gnassingbé was reelected for a third term, extending the Gnassingbé family's rule to nearly half a century. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Flag of Togo By See File history below for details. - BASED ON THIS SOURCE: Flags of the World - Togo. See also: Vexilla Mundi - Togo, which gives the ratio as 3:2. Znamierowski, Alfred. 2019. The World Encyclopedia of Flags: An Illustrated Guide to International Flags, Banners, Standards and Ensigns. Lorenz Books. (page 219) Dk. 2021. Complete Flags of the World: The Ultimate Pocket Guide. National Geographic Books. (page 131), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=433064
Sep 1, 2017 CE
Mass anti-government protests
Large-scale protests erupted across Togo demanding term limits and electoral reforms, representing the biggest challenge to Gnassingbé rule in years. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Protest against the Togolese leader Faure Gnassingbé in Belgium. By PASCAL.VAN - Belgium protest..., CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72336448
Feb 1, 2020 CE
Faure wins fourth term
Faure Gnassingbé was reelected for a fourth term amid opposition boycott and allegations of repression, extending family rule to over 50 years. Source — Wikipedia, "Togo":
Armoiries du Togo By Edem Fiadjoe - Government websites, social media and publications. Examples: 1, 2 and 3., CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=99589087
