The party was established in April 1946 by Augustin Kokou Azango and Émile Derlin Zinsou, and was the first political party in the territory.[1][2] It was initially affiliated with the African Democratic Rally, but dropped its link in 1948.[3] A breakaway in 1946 lead to the creation of the African People's Bloc,[4] but the party still won the 1946–47 General Council elections, taking 20 of the 30 seats.[1]