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| 8. Gambia |
| 1960–65 |
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| African nationalists in Gambia expressed little desire for independence prior to 1960 because they felt their colony was too small and poor to survive on its own. By the mid-1950s, Gambia had its own legislative council, which provided for African representation. When independence was finally negotiated with Britain in 1965, no major difficulties arose on either side. | 1 |
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| 1965, Feb. 18 |
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| Gambia gained independence from Britain. Dawda Jawara, leader of the People's Progressive Party, became prime minister. | 2 |
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| 1970, April |
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| Gambia became a republic within the British Commonwealth. | 3 |
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| 1980, Oct |
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| Disaffected groups undertook an unsuccessful mutiny in a paramilitary unit. Jawara quelled the revolt by summoning Senegalese aid. | 4 |
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| 1981, July |
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| A left-wing coup failed after Jawara received backing from 3,000 Senegalese troops. Violence left over 1,000 Gambians dead. Jawara declared a state of emergency. | 5 |
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| 1982, Feb. 1 |
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| The Senegambian Federation was established. Gambia retained its sovereignty but became more economically integrated with Senegal. | 6 |
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| 1985, Feb |
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| Jawara lifted the state of emergency in Gambia. | 7 |
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| 1987 |
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| Jawara's People's Progressive Party won 31 out of 35 seats in elections to the Gambian House of Representatives. Jawara continued to receive support from rural voters and the Mandinka ethnic group. | 8 |
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| 1994, July 22 |
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| Soldiers in Gambia staged a coup, ousting the president, Sir Dawda Jawara, and establishing a military government. The EU and the U.S. suspended most of their aid to Gambia and pressed for civilian rule. A counter-coup led by L. Basian Barrow failed in November. | 9 |
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| 1995, Nov |
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| A government decree accorded unlimited power of arrest and detention without charge to the minister of the interior. Taiwan and Libya emerged as primary providers of foreign assistance. | 10 |
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| 2000, Jan |
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| Pres. Jammeh quelled a coup attempt led by some of his own bodyguards. Student protests and nationwide violence followed the insurrection. | 11 |
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