Dahomey

Question 1

Factors for the rise of Dahomey

Answer 1

Leadership of Agaja- Strong leadership role
Geography- Swamp lands acts as natural defence. Coastal yet inland as well as having open Savannah grasslands
Trade- Involved in slave trade and sold horses

Question 2

Military factors for Dahomey

Answer 2

Agbajigbeto- Spy network to find roots of enemy power as well as enemy weaknesses
Dahomey amazons- Female warriors that were highly trained in hand to hand combat
Trained at a young age for fighting

Question 3

Economic factors for Dahomey

Answer 3

Markets- Different towns each day which meant better rotation of currency and a wider variety of trade taking place
Government investment- High quality roads and bridges payed for by taxes
Kpengla 1774- Tried to monopolise trade and banning foreign trade and intervention

Question 4

Political factors for Dahomey

Answer 4

King has absolute power- Only person in Dahomey allowed to build a house taller than one story
Tegbesu- Held hostages in Oyo in 1730’s and copied Royal Illari services

Question 5

Religious/cultural factors for Dahomey

Answer 5

Vodun- Separated men and women, Local congregations
Construction of temple in the capital showed religious influence
Tohosu- Cult which influenced the worship of important spirits in Dahomey

Question 6

European factors for Dahomey

Answer 6

Trading with Europeans from the 1580’s- main exports were cloth and ivory

Question 7

Factors for the fall of Dahomey

Answer 7

Death of trade- Britain 1807 abolition act seriously weakened the economy
Dominance of Oyo- Giving tributes also weakened them