Dahomean economic policy under Ghezo 1818-1858: a reconsideration

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Periodical article

Title:	Dahomean economic policy under Ghezo 1818-1858: a reconsideration
Author:	Soumonni, E.A.
Year:	1979
Periodical:	Afrika Zamani: revue d'histoire africaine
Issue:	10-11
Period:	December
Pages:	50-62
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Benin
Subjects:	colonial conquest economic history Dahomey polity History and Exploration Economics and Trade Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Abstract:	In view of the need to decolonise African history, it is surprising that Dahomean scholars, including the young ones, accept and use, in various forms, the old colonial 'cliché' developed by R. Cornevin in his 'Histoire du Dahomey' (Paris, 1962) of Ghezo's reign as a 'worthy example' and Ghezo himself as a 'remarkable economist', a revolutionary kina. However, such assessments of Ghezo's economic policy tend to neglect the traditional basis of this policy. His economic measures were pragmatic rather than revolutionary. While his commitment to the slave trade was unquestionable, he also encouraged the development of the palm oil trade which was to become a significant factor in the process of French domination in Dahomey, Notes.