4.4 Social and economic development of Oyo and Dahomey Flashcards
How was wealth measured in the Oyo kingdom?
Wealth was measured by household size, number of wives, and possession of slaves
A rich man was typically a polygamist and a slave-owner, as slaves were a key index of wealth and power.
What role did political authority play in wealth distribution in Oyo?
Political authorities had marginal control over land distribution; wealth was primarily invested in people, not land
Labour was the scarce factor of production, leading to investments in polygamy and slave-holding.
What was the significance of trade goods in the Oyo economy?
Trade goods, such as luxury foodstuffs and manufactured goods, were more advantageous than accumulating basic foodstuffs
Most households produced their own food, making the accumulation of trade goods more beneficial.
What was the role of the alafin in Oyo’s political structure?
The alafin’s power was supported by a vast palace household, primarily composed of slaves
His following, inherited with the office, was crucial for his political power.
How did Oyo’s geography contribute to its trading power?
Oyo became the southern emporium of the Trans-Saharan trade, facilitating exchanges in various goods
Oyo’s sophisticated markets and trade networks allowed for significant economic activity.
What was the impact of the Alafin’s exemptions on trade?
The Alafin exempted his agents from market dues and road tolls, giving them competitive advantages
This policy facilitated trade and increased the economic influence of the palace.
How did the roles of Migan and Yovogan differ in Dahomey?
Migan oversaw national trade; Yovogan dealt with international trade
Migan had authority in domestic markets, while Yovogan managed relations with Europeans.
What was Agaja’s approach to European trade during his reign?
Agaja negotiated exclusive trade agreements and insisted on concentrated European activities at Ouidah
He sought to control the trade of firearms and other valuable goods.
True or False: The kings of Dahomey had a complete monopoly over the Atlantic slave trade.
False
While kings participated in the trade, there were also private merchants who engaged in slave trading.
What were the economic motivations behind Agaja’s trade policies?
Agaja aimed to secure better prices for slaves and maintain control over the trade of certain commodities
He reserved rights of pre-emption and demanded higher prices for slaves.
Fill in the blank: The port of _______ was essential for Dahomey’s trade with Europeans.
Ouidah
Ouidah became the central hub for trade after Agaja’s conquests of Allada and Whydah.
What led to the shift of slave trade control from Allada and Whydah to Dahomey?
Agaja’s military conquests of Allada in 1724 and Whydah in 1727
This allowed Dahomey to secure control of the coastal ports and the associated trade.
How did the kings of Dahomey arrange the marketing of captives after the conquest of Whydah?
They appointed officials to control relations with European traders at Ouidah
Initially, separate officials managed trade with different European powers before Agaja centralized control.
What title was given to the single official appointed by Agaja in 1733 to conduct trade?
Yovogan
How were slaves from the hinterland states sold to European merchants in Ouidah?
Slaves had to be sold first to Dahomian traders before being resold to Europeans
What statement did Agaja make in 1729 regarding the trade in slaves?
He drives no regular Trade in Slaves, but only sells such as he takes in his Wars
During which decades were about 6000 slaves sold per year to Europeans?
1730s and 1740s
What did the Europeans plan to do due to the slowing speed of trade in Dahomey?
Abandon Dahomey and increase trade elsewhere
What was one consequence of the revolts against Agaja from 1733-36?
Weakened Dahomey internally
What were the two aims of Agaja’s actions against external threats?
- Prevent external invasions
- Root out Dutch influence
What happened in July 1737 involving a Dahomian force and the Dutch?
A Dahomian force destroyed the Dutch factory at Keta but was defeated in retaliation
What was the outcome of Agaja’s inability to enforce his royal monopoly on the slave trade?
Complete freedom in trade became the rule again
What did Oyo do at the beginning of 1739?
Attacked Dahomey
What did Tegbesu prioritize during his reign from 1740-1774?
The slave trade over military expansion
What was the Dahomian title for ‘king’s trader’?
akhigan
What significant action did Tegbesu take against private slave exporters in 1744/45?
Rounded them up and executed them
In what year did Tegbesu declare that anyone could bring slaves from Epe, Weme, and Ajara to Ouidah for export?
1746
What economic change occurred in 1746 regarding trade at Ouidah?
Tegbesu centralized the trade at Ouidah
What was a major reason for Dahomey’s military weakness during Tegbesu’s reign?
Neglect of the army
What was the impact of Tegbesu’s repressive measures on Dahomey’s population?
Drove many people away to other territories
Who were the principal suppliers of slaves to Dahomey from the interior?
- Mahi
- Oyo
What was required for negotiations between Europeans and Dahomian traders?
Conducted through official intermediaries appointed by the Yovogan
What was the financial condition of the monarchy by 1747 under Tegbesu?
Put in order, lived in great affluence
How many slaves were estimated to be exported annually from Ouidah by the French and Portuguese in 1750?
About 9000 slaves
What caused a decline in the number of Europeans trading at the port of Ouidah between 1752-1763?
Attacks from Ashampo of Little Popo and a decrease in slave ships
What adverse effect did the Seven Years’ War have on Dahomey?
Lessened the number of slave ships arriving
What was the result of Tegbesu’s policies on Dahomey’s population and economy?
- Revived and monopolized the slave trade
- Enriched the monarchy and general population
- Produced an orderly and contented community
What significant decline occurred between 1767 and 1789 regarding the slave trade?
The number of slaves started to decrease
What was the complaint of European directors to Kpengla in 1774?
Slaves were too few in Dahomey
What was the impact of Tegbesu’s policy of ‘peaceful slave trade’?
Gradual decline of the slave trade and dependence on Oyo traders
What was the total number of slaves Norris was able to collect at Ouidah in September 1777 to December 1777?
70 slaves
How many slaves did Norris buy from other ports during the same period?
440 slaves
What were the years when no English ships arrived for trade?
1764-67
What was the key policy followed by Tegbesu regarding the slave trade?
Peaceful slave trade
Who overthrew the basorun Gaha in May 1774?
Abiodun
What market did Abiodun establish by 1776?
A flourishing market at Abomey-Calavi
What port did Abiodun decide to make the main Oyo port?
Porto Novo
Fill in the blank: Oyo traders at Ouidah had to sell their slaves to the ________ king’s traders.
Dahomian
What were Oyo traders able to do at Porto Novo that they could not do at Ouidah?
Sell direct to the Europeans
What was the consequence of Porto Novo becoming the main Oyo port for Dahomey?
Deprived of its most important source of slaves
What was the total number of infantry in Dahomey when Tegbesu died in 1774?
3000 infantry
How many soldiers were available to guard Ouidah at Tegbesu’s death?
300 soldiers
True or False: Tegbesu sent out raiding parties in the last 5 years of his reign.
False
What was the quality of arms supplied to Dahomey from Europeans starting in 1764?
Very poor quality
What did Dahomey depend on for arms after 1764?
Supplied by Europeans
What was the focus of the enemy invasions between April 1767 and August 1781?
Disrupting European trade
During whose reign was the position of independent merchants seriously threatened?
Kpengla (1774-89)
What did Kpengla issue to try to control slave prices?
A proclamation fixing low prices for slaves
What consequence did Kpengla’s actions have on leading merchants?
Bankrupted several leading merchants
What did hinterland traders do in response to Kpengla’s measures?
Refused to deal with Dahomey altogether
Fill in the blank: The major political and military chiefs had limited access to the ________ taken by the army.
Captives
Who were the private traders that handled slaves imported from the interior?
Akhisinu
What was the time period discussed regarding the influence of the slave trade on Oyo and Dahomey?
1608–c.1800
