Sierra Leone Back In Time

By NPO
  • Apr 10, 1460

    The Portugese Arrive

    The Temne occupy the northern region of the coastline and the Portuguese arrive and give the name of the region: Sierra Leone meaning "Lion Mountains".
  • Jul 12, 1500

    Trade begins with the Europeans and the Freetown Peninsula

    European traders start visiting Freetown Peninsula to trade cloth & metal goods for ivory, timber, & slaves.
  • Apr 10, 1550

    The Mande migrate

    The Mande people, from farther inland areas, north of the Temne lands, migrate to the coast and settle there.

  • Islamic religion and the slave trade starts

    Muslim-speaking Fulani people from Guinea convert the Temne people into Muslims, and the British take control allowing the slave trade to start.

  • Sierra Leone was Formed

    Sierra Leone was formed by freed slaves from the U.S. and U.K.

  • The successful colony

    The Freetown Colony on the Freetown Peninsula is successful the second time after the first one became a disaster.

  • The end of the slave trade

    The United Kingdom abolishes the slave trade in Sierra Leone.

  • The British fully take over

    The United Kingdom takes over the administration of Freetown from the financially troubled Sierra Leone Company.
  • Period: to

    The Arrival of the Slaves

    More than 50,000 slaves called Creoles settle in Freetown. Their descendents send Protestant Missionaries into the interior of Sierra Leone to bring trade and education to the West African people.

  • The Protectorate

    The United Kingdom claims the interior region of Sierra Leone a protectorate so the French don't take it over.

  • First blacks in the advisory legislative council.

    The first blacks sit on the advisory legislative council.
  • Period: to

    The Creoles Demand

    Creoles demand a larger voice in the mostly white-held government.

  • Sierra Leone's independence

    Sierra Leone becomes independent with Milton Margai as its Prime Minister.

  • New Prime Minister

    Milton Margai dies and his brother Albert Margai takes over.

  • The first military coup.

    Siaka Stevens is overthrown by military leaders a few minutes after he became the prime minister.

  • Return of Siaka Stevens

    Siaka Stevens retakes the office and stays in charge for 17 years.

  • The Support from Guinea and the new constitution

    Siaka Stevens asks Guinea for support with soldiers and the new constitution makes Sierra Leone a republic with Siaka Stevens elected for a 5 year term as president.

  • The Soldiers Leave

    Guinea's soldiers leave with success and the APC party is victorious in the parliamentary elections having no rivals.

  • Siaka Stevens

    Siaka Stevens is reelected for president of Sierra Leone.

  • The new president

    Siaka Stevens retires and Joseph Momoh takes over as president.

  • No New Government By: RUF

    Corporal Sankoh leads the RUF to fight against the new government.
  • Period: to

    Civil War

    50,000 people die in Sierra Leone's vicious civil war and a million more become refugees.

  • Momoh Overthrown

    Captain Valentine Strasser leads soldiers to overthrow Momoh, and takes control of the government.

  • President Kabbah elected

    Ahmed Tejan Kabbah elected as president.

  • President Kabbah reelected

    Ahmed Tejan Kabbah is reelected.

  • UN soldiers leave

    UN soldiers leave after helping Sierra Leone.