Definition

Proper noun 1. A former French colonial territory in West Africa: "French Sudan" refers to a French colonial possession that existed from approximately 1890 to 1959 in the region of West Africa. 2. The historical predecessor to the modern nation of Mali: It denotes the colonial administrative entity that later gained independence and became the Republic of Mali.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • French Sudan was established as a French colony in the late 19th century.
  • The capital of French Sudan was the city of Bamako.
  • After a period of federation, French Sudan became the independent nation of Mali in 1960.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term is used primarily in historical and geopolitical discussions to refer to the colonial period of Mali's history.
  • The borders of French Sudan were redrawn several times during the colonial era.
• In Academic Writing: Used to specify the colonial administration distinct from the pre-colonial empires and the modern state.
  • The study focused on agricultural policies in French Sudan between 1920 and 1940.

Variants and Related Words

• Soudan Français: The French language name for the territory.
• French West Africa: The larger federation of French colonial territories, of which French Sudan was a part.
• Mali: The name of the independent republic that succeeded French Sudan.

Synonyms

• Colonial Sudan (in a French colonial context).
• The Sudanese Republic (one of its official names during its membership in the French Community from 1958-1959).

Related Phrases

• Part of French West Africa: A common phrase describing its administrative status.
  • French Sudan was administered as part of French West Africa.

Noun

1. a landlocked republic in northwestern Africa; achieved independence from France in 1960; Mali was a center of West African civilization for more than 4,000 years