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The rise of Oyo(blue) and Dahomey (pink) - Coggle Diagram
The rise of Oyo(blue) and Dahomey (pink)
Dahomey
Dahomey's military developments
Military developments were important because, from the seizing of Allada, Dahomey were able to build a strong impression across other provinces.
1724- Dahomey were able to seize Allada. Between this seize and 1727, Agaja subjected most of the other Aja kingdoms. This impression was built so strong that the ruler of Jakin suspected he may be Agaja's next target, so immediately submitted to Dahomey because they had no forces to resist future attack from Dahomey (firearms that were developed from the 1680s).
Individual rulers contributing to the rise of Dahomey
....Because Agaja was able to establish an effective administration
Knowledge- 1734 from the reduction in Whydah Agaja was made ruler of Dahomey after the treaty that had been made with Oyo. His main goal was to attribute an effective administration with his new given power.
He did this by changing the government and creating a more centralised monarchy- every official that he appointed was in regard to ability. Through his officials, Agaja was able to maintain control for two reasons: the only way that any officials could be promoted or demoted was through his orders, and he also limited the power of the officials themselves.
For example, any mild disputes were restricted to the official's own districts, but serious matters were sent to the capital Allada which were then administrated by the chief minister or Agaja himself.
Oyo
Oyo- most successful inland state near the gulf of Guinea out of the four growing there from wealth and power of the slave trade.
However, was occupied by Nupe in 1535 and spent the next 80 years in discontinuity, acting as an exiled dynasty
Oyo re-emerged in the 17th century, much more centralised and expansive- began a long stretch of growth and became a major empire.
By 1680, Oyo had grown to 150,000 square km- But how was this caused? What was this benefited by?
Terrain- their terrain was free from unforested and free from tsetse fly- this allowed for the breeding of horses
This allowed Oyo to effectively manage and use cavalry to expand Southward where they split coastal forest- coastal Kingdom of Allada was forced to pay tribute and
this gained direct access to trading with the Europeans.
Acquiring wealth
- was a slave state. In wars, Oyo aimed to gain more slaves than they needed to be able to trade them with the Europeans for guns, cloth, cowrie shells and metals. It also traded with more Africans to its north for more captives for the slave trade
Overview: height of its power followed by decline
18th century was height of power under Alafin abiodun- it was held together by mutual self-interest. The government provided unity for a vast area from a combination of local autonomy and imperial authority
HOWEVER- the period where it was at its greatest power had extreme political instability.
This precipitated a period of internal conflict, and combined with the jihad caused the collapse in 1835.
Internal conflict- Oyo lle was riven by bitter disputes that led to civil wars on multiple occasions. Oyo's disintegration was associated with a coup d'etat which led to the suicide of Awole
Individual rulers in the rise of Oyo
...Because Alafin's were head of the new empire that was created to manage Oyo's vast holdings within an outside Yorubaland
Knowledge: the Alafin was the governor of the people and head of the empire (the king). An important role of the Alafin was to keep their tributaries safe from attack. Individual Alafin's caused similar synchrony with the cavalry, in maintaining Oyo's safety from Nupe. For example, Orompoto led attacks which obliterated Nupe and Abipa who was able to re-conquer Nupe, re-building and re-populating it.
Why was this important?: Orompoto obliterating Nupe meant that there was limited future threat from them, and Abipa's activities caused Oyo to gain control of Nupe- this maintained the lack of threat that they recieved.
Therefore, specific roles of the Alafin were important in contributing to the rise of Oyo because they administrated the political structure, which allowed a centralised government to be built.
Conclusion-ish: The Alafin had to share their power with the Oyo Mesi so did not hold complete power. The Oyo Mesi actually held an important role by selecting the chosen Alafin.
Oyo's military developments
The key to the Yoruba re-conquest of Oyo following the previous Nupe invasion was growing a stronger military.
Yoruba army rearmed with cavalry AND armour
Why was this so important?
It succeeded in regaining Oyo's original territory which was previously overthrown by Nupe. All of Nupe was then obliterated from Oyo's new military, meaning that there was no future risk of them invading again.
Conclusion (but not yk)
- Oyo's military was most important in the rise because it was able to overthrow Dahomey's defences. Dahomey invested in no cavalry, only firearms. Originally, in the battle between the two Kingdoms, the firearms were successful in scaring Oyo's cavalry off, but once Oyo's reinforcements arrived they were able to overthrow Dahomey.
This led to Dahomey regularly paying tribute to Oyo which was one of their most consistent incomes