XIXᵉ siècle – XIXᵉ siècle
Dahomey, West Africa
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
Dahomey’s War with France was the conflict through which France established control over the kingdom centred on Abomey. It followed the French occupation of Cotonou and the dispute over Porto Novo, then intensified after Fon troops fired on the gunboat Topaz in 1892. Fon forces employed surprise attacks and guerrilla tactics but suffered heavy losses, while French operations captured Abomey and conquered northern Dahomey. Behanzin was arrested in January 1894.
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Le récit
The war grew out of France’s protectorate over Porto Novo, a vassal of Abomey, and the occupation of Cotonou in February 1890. Behanzin mobilized Dahomey’s army and supported an attack on the French garrison. Economic pressure, including the destruction of palm trees in the Porto Novo region, contributed to French negotiations and the treaty signed at Abomey on 3 October 1890.
The treaty recognized Cotonou as a French possession, allowed France to levy customs and station a garrison, and provided Behanzin with an annual payment of 20,000 francs. The settlement was temporary. Behanzin modernized his army with weapons purchased from German firms in Lomé, preparing Dahomey for a renewed confrontation with France.
After Fon soldiers fired on the gunboat Topaz on the Werne River on 27 March 1892, Colonel Dodds assembled 2,000 French troops at Porto Novo. He moved up the Werne and began the march toward Abomey on 4 October. The Fon united three army divisions, numbering about 12,000 men, and attempted to halt the invasion through dawn attacks, unexpected strikes, defensive stands and harassment.
Fon resistance failed to stop the French advance. The Fon losses were estimated at 2,000 dead and 3,000 wounded, including virtually all the Amazons, while French losses were reported as 10 officers and 67 men. The destruction of the harvest by Yoruba slaves released by Dodds’s forces created an acute shortage of provisions and contributed to the disintegration of the Fon army.
Behanzin rejected peace conditions requiring a heavy indemnity and the surrender of all weapons. Dodds entered Abomey in November 1892 after Behanzin burned the city, but the king continued resistance from the north. A renewed expedition in September 1893 conquered northern Dahomey; Goutchilli was crowned in January 1894, and Behanzin was arrested on 29 January.
XIXᵉ siècle – XIXᵉ siècle
Dahomey, West Africa
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
Dahomey’s War with France was the conflict through which France established control over the kingdom centred on Abomey. It followed the French occupation of Cotonou and the dispute over Porto Novo, then intensified after Fon troops fired on the gunboat Topaz in 1892. Fon forces employed surprise attacks and guerrilla tactics but suffered heavy losses, while French operations captured Abomey and conquered northern Dahomey. Behanzin was arrested in January 1894.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
The war grew out of France’s protectorate over Porto Novo, a vassal of Abomey, and the occupation of Cotonou in February 1890. Behanzin mobilized Dahomey’s army and supported an attack on the French garrison. Economic pressure, including the destruction of palm trees in the Porto Novo region, contributed to French negotiations and the treaty signed at Abomey on 3 October 1890.
The treaty recognized Cotonou as a French possession, allowed France to levy customs and station a garrison, and provided Behanzin with an annual payment of 20,000 francs. The settlement was temporary. Behanzin modernized his army with weapons purchased from German firms in Lomé, preparing Dahomey for a renewed confrontation with France.
After Fon soldiers fired on the gunboat Topaz on the Werne River on 27 March 1892, Colonel Dodds assembled 2,000 French troops at Porto Novo. He moved up the Werne and began the march toward Abomey on 4 October. The Fon united three army divisions, numbering about 12,000 men, and attempted to halt the invasion through dawn attacks, unexpected strikes, defensive stands and harassment.
Fon resistance failed to stop the French advance. The Fon losses were estimated at 2,000 dead and 3,000 wounded, including virtually all the Amazons, while French losses were reported as 10 officers and 67 men. The destruction of the harvest by Yoruba slaves released by Dodds’s forces created an acute shortage of provisions and contributed to the disintegration of the Fon army.
Behanzin rejected peace conditions requiring a heavy indemnity and the surrender of all weapons. Dodds entered Abomey in November 1892 after Behanzin burned the city, but the king continued resistance from the north. A renewed expedition in September 1893 conquered northern Dahomey; Goutchilli was crowned in January 1894, and Behanzin was arrested on 29 January.
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