| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
During the 13th century, the indigenous Edo people of the west Niger area were run by a group of local chieftains, but by the 15th century a single ruler known as the 'oba' had asserted control. See Kingdom of Benin. Under the dynasty established by Ewuare the Great , the most famous of the obas, Benin's territory expanded to cover a region between the Niger River delta and what is now the Nigerian city of Lagos. The obas brought great prosperity and a highly organized state to Benin. They also established good relations and an extensive slave trade with the Portuguese and Dutch who arrived from the 15th century onwards.
The decline of the obas began in the 18th century when a series of internal power struggles began which lasted into the 19th century, paving the way for the French takeover and colonization of the country in 1872. In 1904, the territory was incorporated into French West AfricaFrench West Africa Afrique occidentale francaise or AOF was a federation of eight French territories in Africa: Mauritania, Senegal, French Sudan (now Mali), Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Niger, Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) and Dahomey (now Benin). Originally as Dahomey.
Under the French a port was constructed at CotonouCotonou population 536,827 ( 1992), is the seat of government of Benin, though the official capital is Porto-Novo. Cotonou's airport and roads and rail facilities make it the transportation and communications hub of the country. Manufactures include palm, and railroads were built. School facilities were expanded by Roman Catholic missions. In 1946, Dahomey became an overseas territory with its own parliamentAlternative meanings: Parliamentary system, Parliament (band), Parliament (cigarette). A parliament is a legislative body, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system derived from that of the United Kingdom. and representation in the French national assembly; and on December 4December 4 is the 338th day (339th on leap years) of the Gregorian calendar. There are 27 days remaining. Events 771 Austrasian King Carloman dies, leaving his brother Charlemagne king of the now complete Frank kingdom. 1110 First Crusade: The Crusaders c, 1958Events January January 1 Treaty of Rome founding the EU is implemented January 4 Sputnik 1 falls to Earth from its orbit (launched on October 4 1957) January 8 14 year old Bobby Fischer wins the United States Chess Championship January 18 Armed Lumbee Nat, it became the République du Dahomey, self-governing within the French Community.
On August 1, 1960, the Republic of Dahomey gained full independence from France. The first president was Hubert Maga, who bore the title Prime Minister during the country's last year under French rule. Instabilty caused by economic troubles, social unrest and ethnic tensions brought about a coup in 1963 and Justin Ahomadegbé was appointed president until he was deposed in 1969 and Lt. Col. Paul-Émile de Souza was made president.
When elections were cancelled in 1970, a three man presidential council was appointed, it included Maga, his politically ally Sourou Migan Apithy and Ahomadegbé. Another coup was staged in 1972 and a government led by Major Mathieu Kérékou was installed. The name of the counthry was changed to Benin in 1975. From 1974 to 1989 Kérékou ran the the country as a socialist state. Free elections were reestablished in 1991, and Kérékou was defeated by Nicéphor Soglo , Sogolo however lost the 1996 election to Kérékou and he has remained in power since despite allegations of electoral fraud in the 2001 election.
See also: The History of Africa
Note: For non-West Africans, the historical empire that was governed from the 14th Century until 1897 by the Oba of Benin, from a seat of power sited at Benin City in present-day Nigeria, is easily confused with the modern nation of Benin, formerly the French colony of Dahomey, Nigeria's neighbor to the west.