French Dahomey

Colony of Dahomey and Dependencies Colonie du Dahomey et dépendances (French)
1894–1958
Flag
Anthem: La Marseillaise
Dark green: French Dahomey Lime: Rest of French West Africa Dark gray: Other French possessions Darkest gray: French Third Republic
Status	French colony
Capital	Porto-Novo
Common languages	French (official) Bariba, Fon, Yoruba
History
• Colonised	1872
• French West Africa	1894
• French Union	4 September 1947
• French Community	4 December 1958
• Independence	1 August 1960
Currency	French West African franc CFA franc
Preceded by Succeeded by Dahomey French West Africa Republic of Dahomey
Today part of	Benin

History of Benin
History of the Kingdom of Dahomey
Early history
Great Ardra c. 1100–1724 Oyo Empire c. 1300–1836 Songhai Empire c. 1464–1591 Kingdom of Akwamu c. 1480–1734 Atlantic slave trade c. 1500–1800 Dutch Slave Coast c. 1660–1760 Kingdom of Whydah c. 1580–1728 Kingdom of Dahomey c. 1600–1904 Annual Customs c. 1730–1904
Modern period
First Franco-Dahomean War 1890 Second Franco-Dahomean War 1892–1894 French Dahomey 1894–1958 French West Africa 1895–1958 Republic of Dahomey 1958–1975 Soglo coup 1963 Kérékou coup 1972 People's Republic of Benin 1975–1990 Mercenary coup attempt 1977 Republic of Benin 1990–present
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French Dahomey, officially the Colony of Dahomey and Dependencies (French: Colonie du Dahomey et dépendances), was a French colony and part of French West Africa from 1894 to 1958.^[1] After World War II, by the establishment of the French Fourth Republic in 1947, Dahomey became part of the French Union with increased autonomy. On 4 October 1958 the French Fifth Republic was established, and the French Union became the French Community. The colony became the self-governing Republic of Dahomey within the Community, and two years later on 1 August 1960, it gained full independence, renamed to Benin in 1975.

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The Kingdom of Dahomey existed in the region from the 17th to 19th centuries.^[2]

The French takeover and colonization of the Kingdom of Dahomey began in 1872. The First Franco-Dahomean War in 1890 further weakened it. The Second Franco-Dahomean War resulted in it becoming a French protectorate in 1894.^[3]

A decree dated 22 June 1894 created the Colonie de Dahomey et dépendances ('Colony of Dahomey and Dependencies'), which was to be incorporated into French West Africa in 1904.^[2]

Under the French, a port was constructed at Cotonou, and railroads were built. School facilities were expanded by Roman Catholic missions. In 1946, Dahomey became an overseas territory, part of the French Union, with its own parliament and representation in the French national assembly.^[4]

On 4 December 1958, it became the Republic of Dahomey (République du Dahomey), self-governing within the French Community.

On 1 August 1960, the Republic of Dahomey gained full independence from France.

The republic's first president was Hubert Maga, who had been the Prime Minister during the overseas territory's last year under French rule.^[5]

• List of the colonial governors of French Dahomey
• Kingdom of Dahomey (c. 1600−1904)
• French West Africa

• Chafer, Tony (2002). The End of Empire in French West Africa: France's Successful Decolonization. Berg. ISBN 1-85973-557-6.

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