History of Benin
42386
222667605
2008-06-30T14:53:05Z
Darwinek
107928
updating link using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]]
:'''''Note:''' This article is about the modern nation of [[Benin]], which encompasses the former French colony of [[Dahomey]], located west of [[Nigeria]]. It is easily confused with the historical empire governed by the [[Oba of Benin]] from the 14th Century until 1897, from a seat of power sited at [[Benin City]] in present-day Nigeria.
The [[Republic of Benin]] was the seat of Dahomey, one of the great medieval [[Africa]]n kingdoms, governed from the capital, [[Abomey]], now a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].
==Kingdom of Benin==
{{main|Kingdom of Benin}}
During the [[13th century]], the [[Indigenous peoples of Africa|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 [[Nigeria]]n 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.
==Colonial Benin==
{{main|French Dahomey}}
The decline of the obas began in the 18th century when a series of internal power struggles began which lasted into the [[19th century]]. This paved the way for the French takeover and [[colonization]] of the country in 1872. In 1904, the territory was incorporated into [[French West Africa]] as [[French Dahomey|Dahomey]].
Under the French, a port was constructed at [[Cotonou]], and [[railroad]]s were built. School facilities were expanded by [[Roman Catholic]] missions. In 1946, Dahomey became an overseas territory with its own [[parliament]] and representation in the French national assembly. On [[December 4]], [[1958]], it became the [[Republic of Dahomey|République du Dahomey]], self-governing within the French Community.
==Post-colonial Benin==
{{main|Republic of Dahomey}}
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. Instability caused by economic troubles, social unrest and ethnic tensions brought about a [[coup]] in 1963. [[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, including Maga, his politically ally [[Sourou Migan Apithy]] and Ahomadegbé. Another coup was staged in 1972, which led to the installation of a government led by Major [[Mathieu Kérékou]]. The name of the country was changed to [[Benin]] in [[1975]].
From [[1974]] to [[1989]] Kérékou ran the country as a [[socialist]] state, earning the label of "Africa's [[Cuba]]". Free elections were reestablished in [[1991]], and Kérékou was defeated by [[Nicéphore Soglo]], Soglo however lost the 1996 election to Kérékou. He remained in power despite allegations of electoral fraud in the 2001 election.
Kérékou did not seek reelection in 2006, and he was succeeded by [[Yayi Boni]] in April [[2006]].
==See also==
*[[History of Africa]]
*[[History of West Africa]]
==External links==
*[http://www.rulers.org/rulb1.html#benin Rulers.org — Benin] List of rulers for Benin
*[http://www.historyofnations.net/africa/benin.html History of Benin]
==References==
*{{factbook}}
*{{StateDept}}
{{History of Africa}}
[[Category:History of Benin| ]]
[[Category:French West Africa]]
[[Category:National histories|Benin]]
[[de:Geschichte Benins]]
[[es:Historia de Benín]]
[[fr:Histoire du Bénin]]
[[it:Storia del Benin]]
[[hu:Benin történelme]]
[[pt:História do Benim]]
[[vec:Storia del Benin]]
[[zh:贝宁历史]]