Upper Volta facts for kids
Upper Volta was a country in West Africa. It was once a territory controlled by France for many years. This happened in two separate periods. Later, Upper Volta became an independent nation. Today, this country is known as Burkina Faso.
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What Was Upper Volta?
Upper Volta was a land in West Africa. It was not always an independent country. For a long time, it was under the control of France. This means France governed the area.
French Control
France first took control of Upper Volta in 1919. It remained a French territory until 1932. After a break, France took control again in 1947. This second period of French rule lasted until 1958.
Becoming a Republic
In 1958, Upper Volta took a big step. It became a republic. This means it started to govern itself more. Even so, it was still connected to France. It was part of something called the French Community. This was a group of former French territories.
Gaining Independence
The year 1960 was very important for Upper Volta. In this year, it gained full independence from France. This meant it was completely free to rule itself. It was no longer under French control.
From Upper Volta to Burkina Faso
Upper Volta continued as an independent country for several years. Then, in 1984, its name changed. The country became known as Burkina Faso. This is the name it still uses today.
