Republic of Upper Volta
Former country in West Africa (1958–1984); now Burkina Faso From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Republic of Upper Volta (French: République de Haute-Volta) was a landlocked West African country established on 11 December 1958 as a self-governing state within the French Community.[5][6] Before becoming autonomous, it had been part of the French Union as the French Upper Volta. On 5 August 1960, it gained full independence from France.[7] On 4 August 1984, it changed its name to Burkina Faso.
 | You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in French. (August 2012) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
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Republic of Upper Volta | |||||||||
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| 1958–1984 | |||||||||
| Motto: "Unité – Travail – Justice" (in French) "Unity – Work – Justice" | |||||||||
| Anthem: Hymne National Voltaïque | |||||||||
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| Status | Self-governing colony (1958–1960) | ||||||||
| Capital | Ouagadougou | ||||||||
| Common languages |
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| Religion | |||||||||
| Demonym(s) | Upper Voltan[1] | ||||||||
| Government | One-party presidential republic (1960–1966) Corporatist state under an military dictatorship (1966–1980)[2] Military dictatorship (1980–1983) Marxist-Leninist military dictatorship (1983–1984)[3] | ||||||||
| President | |||||||||
• 1959–1966 | Maurice Yaméogo | ||||||||
• 1966–1980 | Sangoulé Lamizana | ||||||||
• 1980–1982 | Saye Zerbo | ||||||||
• 1982–1983 | Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo | ||||||||
• 1983–1984 | Thomas Sankara | ||||||||
| High Commissioner | |||||||||
• 1958–1959 | Max Berthet | ||||||||
• 1959–1960 | Paul Masson | ||||||||
| Prime Minister | |||||||||
• 1971–1974 | Gérard Kango Ouédraogo | ||||||||
• 1983 | Thomas Sankara | ||||||||
| Historical era | Cold War | ||||||||
| 11 December 1958 | |||||||||
| 5 August 1960 | |||||||||
| 3 January 1966 | |||||||||
| 25 November 1980 | |||||||||
| 7 November 1982 | |||||||||
| 4 August 1983 | |||||||||
• Renamed | 4 August 1984 | ||||||||
| Population | |||||||||
• 1980[4] estimate | 6,823,000 | ||||||||
| Currency | CFA franc | ||||||||
| ISO 3166 code | HV | ||||||||
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| Today part of | Burkina Faso | ||||||||
Etymology
The name Upper Volta indicated that the country contains the upper part of the Volta River.
History
Summarize
Perspective
Upper Volta obtained independence on 5 August 1960, with Maurice Yaméogo of the Voltaic Democratic Union-African Democratic Rally (UDV-RDA) becoming the country's first president. A constitution was ratified the same year, establishing presidential elections by direct universal suffrage and a National Assembly, both with five-year terms. Shortly after coming to power, Yaméogo banned all political parties other than the UDV-RDA. He had shown a deep authoritarian streak even before becoming president. Between the time he became prime minister of Upper Volta while it was still a French colony and independence two years later, opposition parties were subjected to increased harassment.
On 3 January 1966, Yaméogo was overthrown in a coup d'état led by army chief Sangoulé Lamizana. Although multiparty democracy was nominally restored four years later, Lamizana dominated the country's politics until he was himself overthrown in 1980.
After a series of short-term presidencies, Thomas Sankara then came to power through yet another military coup d'état on 4 August 1983.[8] After the coup, he formed the National Council for the Revolution (CNR), with himself as president. Under the direction of Sankara, the country changed its name on 4 August 1984, from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, which means "Land of Incorruptible People".[9]
Politics
From 1958 to 1960, the Republic of Upper Volta was led by a high commissioner:
- Max Berthet (11 December 1958 to February 1959),
- Paul Masson (February 1959 to 5 August 1960).
From 1971 to 1987, the Republic of Upper Volta was led by a prime minister:
- Gérard Kango Ouédraogo (13 February 1971 to 8 February 1974)
- Thomas Sankara (4 August 1983 to 14 October 1987)
Symbols
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Perspective
Flag
The colours of the national flag corresponded to the names of the Volta's three main tributaries: the Black Volta, the White Volta and the Red Volta.[10]
National Hymn
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In French: Fière Volta de mes aieux, Nous te ferons et plus forte, et plus belle Vers l'horizon lève les yeux Le travail de ton sol brûlant Que Dieu te garde en sa bonté, |
In English: Proud Volta of my ancestors, We will make you stronger and more beautiful The work of your burning ground May God keep you in his goodness, |
This anthem was replaced in 1984 by a new anthem, the Ditanyè.
Cultural references
During the 1960s, the Soviet Union was sometimes derisively referred to as "Upper Volta with rockets",[11] coined by a journalist Xan Smiley,[12] referencing USSR's disproportion of defence sector over relatively undeveloped civilian economy.[13]
See also
References
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