Benin History

Benin was once the seat of one of the great medieval African kingdoms, Dahomey. It was a center of civilization, wealth, and strength about seven hundred years before. The country's economic development is owed from the slave trade introduced by the Europeans, more specifically, the French, who arrived in the late 15th century and remained until 1885.

Under the French colonization, the country was gifted with improvement on many aspects, trade, transportation, education, and religion. Railroads and ports were built, and school facilities were enhanced. By the year 1946, Dahomey was declared an overseas territory with its own parliament, represented in the French national assembly.

In the years 1960-1975, the government was shaken by successive military coups. This was after Benin was declared as a self-governing country. Out of the coups, new leaders emerged in the person of Major Mathieu Kerekou. He ran the country strictly following Marxist-Leninist principles. It was under him as well that the country was christened its current name, Benin.

Due to continuous urging of France however, Kerekou was persuaded to adopt a new form of government. Thus, Benin became the first African country that went from dictatorship to a pluralistic political system. Until today, the country remains under this system and the people continue to enjoy their right to freely choose their leader.