Abstract: The thesis traces the history of political organizations in French Equatorial Africa (AEF) up to 1960 and examines the failure to develop strong nationalist movements in the area. Preliminary chapters treat the historical, social and administrative background of political activity in AEF, the evolution of French African political institutions and the history of African political activity ... read moreat Paris, particularly that of African parliamentary groups. The development of African elite associations and European political groups in AEF is traced from their origins after World War I through the formation of the first political parties during elections to the Constituent Assemblies of 1945-1946. Separate chapters follow in detail the development of political competition in each of the four territories of AEF from 1946 to 1957, and a short chapter summarizes developments between the creation of the first Councils of Government in 1957 and independence in 1960. A concluding section examines the origins and structure of parties and party systems in AEF.read less
