During the 14th century Empire or State of Mossi is formed. By the ninetheenth century, the Mossi states are weakened and in 1896 France sets up a protectorate over the kingdom of Ouagadougou. It becomes part of French Sudan (from 1904 renamed into Upper Senegal-Niger). French Sudan is from 1899 a constituent part of French West Africa. In 1919 Upper Volta becomes a separate French colony inside French West Africa. In 1933 Upper Volta is partitioned between French Sudan, Ivory Coast and Niger. Inside French West Africa Upper Volta becomes in 1947 a French overseas territory. After the dissolution of French West Africa in 1958, Upper Volta gets autonomy as the Republic of Upper Volta. A government headed by Maurice Yaméogo, leader of the Union Démocratique Voltaïque-Rassemblement Démocratique Africai (Volta Democratic Union-African Democratic Rally, UDV-RDA) is formed.

This is followed by independence in 1960, after which Upper Volta becomes an presidential republic. Maurice Yaméogo becomes president, controls the UDV-RDA and bans all other parties. The army stages a coup in 1966 and the country gets a military dictatorship undder Sangoulé Lamizana. Lamizana allows the political parties and the UDV-RDA, reorganized, wins the parliamentary elections of 1970. Gérard Ouédraogo becomes prime-minister. Lamizana bans all parties in 1974. After general elections in 1978 the dictator becomes elected president and a three party system is introduced. In this system the UDV-RDA becomes largest party again and Joseph Conombo becomes prime minister. Nevertheless Lamizana is re-elected president that year.

This is followed by a coup in 1980, when Upper-Volta becomes again a military dictatorship inder Saye Zerbo, succeeded after antother coup by Jean-Baptiste Ouedrago in 1982. He appoints Thomas Sankara as prime minister, but after Sankara's dismissal and another coup in 1983 Thomas Sankara removes Ouedrago from office and becomes president himself. Under his presidency Upper Volta becomes a socialist dictatorship and in 1984 the country is renamed Burkina Faso. In 1987 Blaise Compaoré stages a coup and succeeds Sankara as president. In 1991 Compaoré re-introduces elections and parliamentary institutions. The first elections are won by the Organisation pour la Démocratie Populaire-Mouvement du Travail (Organization for Popular Democracy-Labour Movement, ODP-MT) of president Compaoré. The ODP is replaced in 1996 by the COngrès pour la Démocratie et le Progrès. The CDP wins the 1997 electons and in 1998 Compaoré is re-elected president. The country develops into a presidential parliamentary democracy with a strong position for Compaoré.