Benin

Question 1

Factors for the rise of Benin

Answer 1

Ile-Ife - Bronze castings
Leadership of Oba Eweure - 3 associations of palace chiefs as well as taxes being paid from people who lived in Benin
Geography- Niger river, Atlantic ocean, fertile soil, Dense forest

Question 2

Military factors for Benin

Answer 2

Portugal (Esigie)- Sent ambassadors to Portuguese port for military assistance in 1514
Portugal (Edo)- Fought alongside the Oba in 1516
Army- 20k standing; 100k in reserve, vast powerful army

Question 3

Economic factors for Benin

Answer 3

Taxation- By 1702 cowries (sea shells) made good income which governors gathered for the local area
Trade- 1500s used slavery to gain resources for the kingdom, 1600s sold animals, 1700s lost the monopoly they had over cloth

Question 4

Political factors for Benin

Answer 4

Public spending- Taxed cowrie shells, built roads using slaves and made them wide to encourage trading and facilitate movement of armies
Political structure- 60 Officials, 20 on trade, tax and war
Villages- Council elders and important chiefs ran the villages and demanded labour and food

Question 5

Religious/cultural factors for Benin

Answer 5

Traditional religion- Shrines = spiritual strength
Festivals - Igue= showed the Oba’s divine power
Benin Bronzes- Important cultural concept that supported the religion and the power of the Oba as they were such fine pieces of art

Question 6

European factors for Benin

Answer 6

Portugal arrival- 1480’s Sao Tome traders but ended with embargo on slavery from 1530 to 1700’s
Esigie meeting with the Portugese- Esigie taught portugese by Ozolua (dad) leading to founding of schools in Benin that taught Portugese

Question 7

Fall of Benin

Answer 7

European influence- 1573 Itekiri broke away: reliance on selling to Europe which led to a decentralisation of power
Succession crisis- 1608 Oba Ohuan died without heir; 1700’s civil conflict