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Reasons for political stability in Benin - Coggle Diagram
Reasons for political stability in Benin
Introduction: Benin garnered political stability for many reasons- the centralised structure of the government, the traditional roles of the oba and the political achievements of Ewuare
One reason for the political stability of Benin was the centralised structure of the government
The governmental structure was run by associations of prudent men, whose captains were regular judges who would solve disputes such as debates and conflicts. (government was not hereditary).
Centralisation was maintained through the power of the oba's palace
Members of the public were bound by strict rules that regarded situations such as behaviour in the courts such as never looking the oba in the eye
From this, the government was able to be built into a complex political center.
The government became more centralised and controlled through the evolution of the town and palace chiefs. Also, there were classes of more titles within the palace such as the ibiwe who looked after the oba's wives and children with the intention to settle disputes between them
Each of these chiefs ran on a day to day basis
Control was kept through minor disputes being settled in smaller towns and larger crimes being focused at the higher court in Edo
its a strength of the political instability because it was a consistent period of growth- not just at the bottom and hilted
clear idea on WHO had the control
Showed centralised control- there was a clear idea over who would solve disputes within the kingdom
However- Centralised government evaluation- was a temporary fix. By the C17 obas lost control of the associations
Conclusion- the most important reason for political stability was Ewuare himself. Why?
his method of succession proved to work- when Esigie changed there was no clarity over who was to be King so Benin lost identification
the centralised tradition lost benefits because future obas lost control of the associations (shows better performance of Ewuare)
Ewuare exploited the traditions of the oba (FE exploiting eghaevbo institutions for creating new titles- uzama FE)
One reason for political stability of Benin was due to the role of the oba
Oba criteria- people who held the most control, based on control over the military mass
Up to 1600, the obas took responsibility into taking soldiers to war personally- this made the oba in direct position to receive the most tribute
the wealth was needed to fulfill obligations such as giving presents to nobles within ceremonies.
oba held political weapon of manipulating eghaevbo institutions
this included creating titles, transferring individuals and introducing new men
created a balance between competing groups and individuals- this was useful in contributing to diplomatic relations
obas exploited their military power to enhance their power and their wealth
Wealth- obas were in control of the source of wealth within vassal states that paid regular tributes
there were political conflicts between 1600-1800
reasoned as a possible loss of control in management of state affairs from the oba
HOWEVER
Kings had a security of tenure- once the initial succession crisis was over it was difficult to challenge the position of the oba
this highlights the importance of the oba themselves as the reason political stability could be challenged.
Specifically- shows just how important it was that the obas had control of state affairs such as vassal states and manipulating the egaehvbo institutions
Another reason for the political stability within Benin was the specific political achievements provided from
Oba Ewuare
Strengthened his position as king and Benin's by improving the political structure
improvements to the royal capital
introducing state council for governing (chief of major towns, palace chiefs and uzama's who decided the next oba
developed a form of succession from creating the title of edaiken for eldest son
Explanation: why was this important?
the succession lasted for multiple generations
so was a form of continued stability for Benin
establishing early was important because the Portuguese came to Benin late so Ewuare's good political reputation helped him become the first oba to be linked with wealth-
gave Benin economic prosperity