BeninBenin

Presented by:Presented by:

Josh FrisbyJosh Frisby

TermsTerms

Colonialism- When a country tries to Colonialism- When a country tries to establish itself upon another country establish itself upon another country by making it a state or dependentby making it a state or dependent

Columbian Exchange- Period of time Columbian Exchange- Period of time when trade exchanged cultures and when trade exchanged cultures and products rapidly around the worldproducts rapidly around the world

Atlantic Slave Trade- captured slaves Atlantic Slave Trade- captured slaves (usually in West Africa) were (usually in West Africa) were transported to the new worldtransported to the new world

Background on BeninBackground on Benin

Located in Western Located in Western Africa (See map to Africa (See map to right right ))

Name of its Name of its Capital- Benin CityCapital- Benin City

Called the Kingdom Called the Kingdom of Benin, of Benin, sometimes as the sometimes as the Kingdom of Edo.Kingdom of Edo.

Native PeoplesNative Peoples

The Benin Empire was given its name The Benin Empire was given its name by the Portuguese based off of the by the Portuguese based off of the Bini people that dominated the area.Bini people that dominated the area.

However, the city and the people are However, the city and the people are more properly called the Edo.more properly called the Edo.

ColonizationColonization

Who came- The Who came- The PortuguesePortuguese

When- About 1485When- About 1485 Resources found- Resources found-

Established Slave Established Slave Trade and Tropical Trade and Tropical Fruit for European Fruit for European Goods and GunsGoods and Guns

ColonizationColonization

Who came- The Who came- The EnglishEnglish

When- 1553When- 1553 Resources found- Resources found-

Established trade Established trade based on ivory, based on ivory, palm-oil, and palm-oil, and pepper.pepper.

ColonizationColonization

In both cases, the Natives were In both cases, the Natives were treated quite well.treated quite well.

Trade was established between Trade was established between Benin and Portugal and Benin and Benin and Portugal and Benin and England.England.

““The Great Benin”- Tales of Benin’s The Great Benin”- Tales of Benin’s riches began to travel back to riches began to travel back to Europe.Europe.

EventsEvents

1485- Benin begins trade with 1485- Benin begins trade with PortugalPortugal

1553- Benin begins trade with 1553- Benin begins trade with EnglandEngland

1515thth Century- Oba Ewaure (Ewaure Century- Oba Ewaure (Ewaure the Great), turns Benin City into a the Great), turns Benin City into a Military Fortress protected by moats Military Fortress protected by moats and walls. and walls.

Economy and InstitutionsEconomy and Institutions

The Benin The Benin economy thrived economy thrived due to trade with due to trade with Portugal and Portugal and England.England.

It came to be It came to be described as a described as a “fabulous city with “fabulous city with noble buildings, noble buildings, ruled over by a ruled over by a powerful king”.powerful king”. Benin Palace Ancestral Altar, dedicated to

Oba Ovonramwen, Benin City, Nigeria

Extra FactsExtra Facts

Benin would be destroyed in 1897 by Benin would be destroyed in 1897 by a British force, under the command a British force, under the command of Admiral Sir Harry Rawson.of Admiral Sir Harry Rawson.

Later the Kingdom of Dahomey Later the Kingdom of Dahomey would be named to, “The Republic of would be named to, “The Republic of Benin”, which is the current day Benin”, which is the current day Benin.Benin.

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