Gabriel Louis Angoulvant



Gabriel Louis Angoulvant (born 1872 in Longjumeau, France – died 1932 in Paris) was a colonial administrator in the second French colonial empire.

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.

He was elected to the French parliament, representing the territories of French India in 1920.

He contributed to the organization of the Paris Colonial Exposition of 1931.

He served as one of the seven members of the Committee of Experts on Slavery (CES) of the League of Nations in 1932-1933.

Angoulvant published a number of books regarding the French colonial empire, including "La Pacification de la Côte d'Ivoire" in 1916.