What two countries merged to form Tanzania?

Tanzania was established on 26 April 1964 as a result of the merger of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The name of the African country was created as a clipped compound of the names of the two states.Tanzania, officially called the United Republic of Tanzania, celebrates its union on this day.

From 1894 to 1914, African Tanganyika, along with two smaller regions, was controlled by Germany and known as German East Africa. African Tanganyika was put under the “trusteeship” of Britain by the League of Nations in 1920 after Germany was defeated in World War I. On December 9, 1961, the country gained its independence from Britain.

Zanzibar, an island port off the coast of Tanganyika, had been in contact with traders from the Persian Gulf since about the 10th century but was put under British control in 1890. It gained its independence on December 10, 1963, but remained under the control of the Omani Arabs, under the Sultan Jamshid bin Abdullah.

The natives, outnumbering the Arabs, despised this designation and decided to fight for their independence in what resulted in the Zanzibar Revolution. Jamshid bin Abdullah was deposed and sent into exile.

The government headed by Abeid Karume went to visit the President of Tanganyika Julius Nyerere. Nyerere proposed the idea of a union. Reportedly, Karume immediately agreed, suggesting that Nyerere become president of the union.

The name Tanzania became the name of the combined states.