1. By: Marykate Juliano & Andrea Merring
The Dahomey Kingdom
By: Marykate Juliano & Andrea Merring
This was the flag of the Dahomey Kingdom.

2. Overview Creation of the Dahomey Kingdom The Amazons Kingdom Location
Map of the Dahomey Kingdom
Years of Existence
Key Information
The Dahomey Kingdom’s Rise and Fall
Significance
Bibliography

3. Creation of the Dahomey Kingdom
Founder: Chief of the Fon People, Folk Lore
Origin: Moved from Abomey along with other small groups to form the Kingdom of Dahomey
Government: Originally autocratic; developed into an absolute monarchy
King Guezo:
Early Exports: Vegetable oils, palm oil, & various crops
European Trade = Firearms for Slaves
Built Amazon Army; Defeated Oyo rival & Expanded
(“Dahomey”)

4. The Amazons
Only all-female official front-line combat arms military unit in modern history.
Progression:
Elephant hunters
Bodyguards (800) to King Ada Honzoo
Elite warriors (4,000)
Recruitment:
Volunteer or Force (unfit wife)
Amazons were “off-limits” (penalty = death)
Unstoppable Force
Abeokuta
Franco-Dahomean Wars
"If soldiers go to war they should conquer or die."
- Motto of the Dahomey Amazons
(Dash)

5. She intones a song of victory
and dances:
The blood flows,
You are dead.
We have won.
The blood flows, it flows, it flows.
The enemy is no more.
(Dash)

6. Kingdom Location Narrow Atlantic Coastal Strip off of West Africa
Allowed easy access for slave trade
Geography:
low = swampy, forest-like
highlands = grassy plains
Intense heat and humidity
Present Day: Country of Benin (size of Tennessee)
("Benin.")

7. Map of the Dahomey Kingdom
Kingdom expands from
Defeat of Oyo allows expansion (Amazons)
Reaches Current Size (Benin) in 1890
("Benin.")

8. Years of Existence 1620-1975 King Dogbari:
1620, Abomey instated as the capital of the Dahomey Kingdom
Abomey expands through military conquest- powerful state Dahomey created in the early 18th century
French Control:
People’s Republic of Benin:
Renamed in 1975 by the military government
Republic of Benin
(“The Kingdom of Dahomey: A Brief History.” )

9. Key Information to Remember
Dahomey Kingdom was organized for war
Had control over Western Africa
Extreme reverence for Kings
Could thank success to slave trade
Official religion was Vodoun
King of Hogbonou signed protectorate with France in 1894
Became a self governed republic in 1960
Gained full independence.
Changed its name to Benin in 1975
“Dahomey”

10. The Rise and Fall of Dahomey
Slave trade ultimately caused both the rise and the fall of the Dahomey Kingdom
Dahomey gained control of the slave trade with the Europeans
Rule of Gezu ( )
End of slave trade caused Dahomey to produce new products that did not bring in the same revenue (hurt economy)
Attack on Dahomey
France attacks in 1892
Kongo is forced to step down and the kingdom becomes a French colony in 1894
“Kingdom of Dahomey”

11. Significance
Once they got their independence, the Republic of Benin decided to turn to democracy in 1989
The way that the Dahomeans practiced their religion would influence future generations
A stable slave trade between Europe and West Africa was created
"HISTORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BENIN."

12. Bibliography
“Dahomey.” The Ouidah Museum of History. Web. 25 Feb 2016.
“The Kingdom of Dahomey: A Brief History.” Benin Other Places Travel Guide.
Other Places Publishing, Web. 25 Feb 2016.
"Benin." N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb
Dash, Mike. "Dahomey's Women Warriors." N.p., 23
Sept Web. 25 Feb
"Kingdom of Dahomey." - New World Encyclopedia. Web. 25 Feb <
"HISTORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BENIN." HISTORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BENIN. Web. 26 Feb <