Was Benin a French colony? What key events lead to independence
Introduction
Yes, Benin was a French colony. It was formerly known as Dahomey and was part of French West Africa from 1904 to 1959. Several key events led to Benin’s independence:
Colonial Period
1892: France took control of the area
1899: The territory was incorporated into French West Africa as French Dahomey
1946: Dahomey became an overseas territory of France, with its own parliament and representation in the French national assembly
Path to Independence
1958: France granted autonomy to the Republic of Dahomey within the French Community
December 4, 1958: Dahomey became a self-governing republic within the French Community
1959: Dahomey was created as an autonomous republic within the French Community
Independence
August 1, 1960: Dahomey (now Benin) gained full independence from France
Hubert Maga became the country’s first president
Conclusion
The process of decolonization was relatively peaceful compared to some other African nations. However, the post-independence period was marked by political instability, including multiple coups and changes in government.