He was appointed governor of
French Ivory Coast in 1908. He had little prior experience in Africa and believed that the development of Ivory Coast could proceed only after the forceful conquest, or so-called pacification, of the colony. He thus embarked on a vigorous campaign, sending military expeditions into the hinterland to quell resistance. As a result of these expeditions, local rulers were compelled to obey existing
antislavery laws, supply porters and food to the French forces, and ensure the protection of French trade and personnel. In return, the French agreed to leave local customs intact and specifically promised not to intervene in the selection of rulers. But the French often disregarded their side of the agreement, deporting or interning rulers regarded as instigators of revolt. They also regrouped villages and established a uniform administration throughout most of the colony. Finally, they replaced the coutume with an allowance based on performance.[1]
He was elected to the French parliament, representing the territories of
French India in 1920.
Governor of
Sénégal 22 January 1918 – 30 July 1919
Succeeded by
Charles Désiré Auguste Brunet
Further reading
(in French) Marcel Amondji, "Le rêve du gouverneur Angoulvant", in Félix Houphouët et la Côte d'Ivoire : l'envers d'une légende, Karthala, Paris (1884)
(in French) Ernest Moutoussamy, Les députés de l'Inde française à l'Assemblée nationale sous la IVe République, L'Harmattan, Paris, Budapest, Turin (2003)
(in French) Marcel Souzy, Les coloniaux français illustrés, B. Arnaud, editor, Paris (1940).