3.6 The decline of Benin Flashcards
What were the main factors contributing to the decline of Benin in the 17th century?
Succession crises, civil war, economic decline, growth in the power of officials, involvement in the slave trade, economic revival during the 18th century.
The decline was particularly noted from the end of the 17th to the beginning of the 18th centuries.
What was the significance of the civil war in Benin from the late 17th century to the 1730s?
It marked a period of internal conflict that weakened the monarchy and led to significant territorial and political changes.
Civil war began around the time Ewuakpe succeeded to the throne.
How did Oba Ewuakpe come to the throne?
He was thrust into office by his father, Akenuzama, who declined the kingship due to old age.
Ewuakpe was only young and inexperienced at the time.
What challenges did Ewuakpe face upon his accession to the throne?
He could not perform ancestral rites, faced rebellion due to his mother’s death, and had to deal with dissatisfaction among the Edo people.
His mother’s death prompted him to sacrifice many humans, leading to rebellion.
What was the law of atoro in relation to aristocratic inheritance?
It mandated that a king receive all property of a chief upon their death.
This law was a point of contention during Ewuakpe’s reign.
What role did the iyase play in the decline of Benin?
The iyase led revolts against Ewuakpe, contributing to instability and the eventual sacking of Edo.
The iyase was a significant figure in the civil unrest during Ewuakpe’s reign.
What was the outcome of Ewuakpe’s conflict with the iyase?
Ewuakpe attempted to discipline the iyase but faced rebellion, leading to the sacking of Edo.
The iyase’s military strength allowed him to retaliate successfully.
How did European trade contribute to instability in Benin?
The ivory trade financed the iyase’s political ambitions and conflicts against Ewuakpe.
Trade activity resumed intensely during the civil war period.
What measures did Ewuakpe take to restore his power after the civil war?
He established a make-believe ceremony and human sacrifice to regain favor and ultimately negotiated with chiefs for a new succession rule.
This involved revoking the law of atoro in favor of primogeniture.
What was the principle of primogeniture established by Ewuakpe?
It stated that the eldest son would receive the entire inheritance upon the death of a person of condition.
This aimed to stabilize succession processes.
Who succeeded Ewuakpe and what issue arose during this succession?
Ozuere succeeded Ewuakpe, but his claim violated the principle of primogeniture, leading to further civil conflict.
Ozuere was supported by the iyase Ode.
How did Akenzua I consolidate power after the civil war?
He allied with the ezomo and defeated Ozuere and the iyase, establishing a new power dynamic in Benin.
Akenzua’s victory led to a hereditary ezomo title.
What was the impact of the civil war on the Kingdom of Benin according to Egharevba?
It resulted in a temporary loss of territory and a reduction in the city’s splendor, later restored during Akenzua I’s reign.
Other historians argue it led to structural changes in governance.
What was the main source of instability for Benin during the 17th century?
Internal political competition and the impact of European trade.
Succession issues and civil unrest were critical factors.
What was the effect of the shift in trade relations during the civil war?
It moved from royally controlled goods like ivory and pepper to cloth, which empowered local associations and independent merchants.
This shift weakened royal centralization.
What happened to the throne after the death of Ohuan?
The throne was opened to rotation among different branches of the Royal Family
This resulted in struggles between rival claimants, many of whom were not directly in the royal line.
What characterized royal successions in the mid to late C17?
Marked by struggles between rival claimants who were not totally legitimate
Many claimants were not in the core line of descent.
What were the short reigns of C17 rulers indicative of?
They indicated serious difficulties within the kingship
Rebellions and deposals were common, such as with Ahenkpaye.
What was the significance of the story of Ohuan’s transformation?
It highlights the violation of kingly norms regarding gender eligibility for rulers
Females were ineligible to become rulers.
What was the impact of the death of Ohuan on the royal line?
The royal line of descent died out
The obas after Ohuan were chosen from remote branches and lacked legitimacy.
How did the succession custom change according to Dapper’s account?
Dying obas revealed their successor wishes to the Onegwa, shifting proclamation of succession to administration
This suggests a loss of traditional succession practices.
What powers did Ehengbuda’s laws remove from the oba?
The right to kill subjects and lead military expeditions
This led to increased power for administrative officials like the Uwangue and iyase.
What was the role of the iyase in the C17?
The iyase held significant military power and rebelled against Ohuan
This indicated a separation of military command from the oba.
How did the bureaucratic structure of Benin change by the end of the C17?
It became more independent and powerful, sometimes usurping the oba’s authority
The government was divided into three orders: ‘Lords’, ‘Street Kings’, and ‘merchants’.
What economic shift reduced the Oba’s control over commodities?
The shift from centrally controlled commodities like slaves and ivory to cloth production
Cloth production became widespread and decentralized.
What was the impact of the Dutch on Benin’s cloth trade?
Dutch imports flooded the market, undermining the profitability of Benin’s cloths
This led to a decline in demand for locally made cloths.
What was the consequence of Benin’s refusal to export male slaves?
It placed Benin at a disadvantage compared to neighboring states that participated in the slave trade
This policy continued until the end of the C17.
What external factor contributed to Benin’s decline during the C17?
The rise of Oyo as a powerful neighboring state
Oyo’s strength pressured Benin politically and economically.
What was the significance of the civil war in Benin’s history?
It resulted in a multi-centred but autonomous set of associations in governance
The civil war led to a reorganization of power and attempts to stabilize the kingdom.
What was the main economic activity of the lower bureaucracy in Benin?
They engaged in the external cloth trade, which was decentralized and profitable
This contributed to the growing power of lower administrative ranks.
Fill in the blank: The crown passed to the _______ or, if there is no son, to the brother.
brother
True or False: The obas after Ohuan were considered divinely ordained.
False
They were chosen from remote branches and lacked legitimacy.
What historical period is referred to when discussing the power struggles of the late C17 and early C18?
Late C17 and early C18
What was one outcome of the reorganization during the late C17 and early C18?
A period of internal peace up until the end of C18
How did external relations change for Benin during the late C17 and early C18?
Benin became increasingly involved in the slave trade
What major issue is suggested to have weakened the monarchy during the 17th century?
Succession problems
Fill in the blank: The reorganization during the late C17 and early C18 aimed to resolve problems and _______.
[power struggles]
True or False: The internal peace established during the reorganization lasted until the end of the 19th century.
False
Who are the authors mentioned for further reading on the Civil War in the Kingdom of Benin?
Paula Girshick and John Thornton
