Back to: History SSS 2
My brilliant Afrilearn superstar! I hope you’re feeling great today! Have you ever heard the saying, “If you can’t win with words, you win with force”? That’s exactly what the British did when they took control of Nigeria in the 19th century. At first, they tried to gain influence through trade and diplomacy, but when that didn’t work, they used military force. Today, we’ll be talking about the first phase of the British conquest (1851-1900), focusing on the occupation of Lagos, the conquest of Benin, and the British takeover of Yoruba land. Let’s get into it!
The First Phase of British Conquest 1851-1900; occupation of Lagos, British conquest of Benin, other interior of Yoruba land
Occupation of Lagos (1851-1861)
Lagos was an important centre for trade, especially in slaves. The British had been fighting against the transatlantic slave trade, but Lagos was still heavily involved in it. The British first tried diplomacy—they asked Oba Kosoko, the king of Lagos, to stop the slave trade and work with them. But Kosoko refused, so the British decided to remove him by force.
In 1851, the British navy attacked Lagos, defeated Oba Kosoko, and installed Oba Akitoye, who was more friendly to them. But the British didn’t stop there. They wanted full control of Lagos because of its strategic location for trade. In 1861, they forced Oba Dosunmu (Akitoye’s successor) to sign a treaty that made Lagos a British colony. From that point, Lagos was officially under British rule, and the British began spreading their control inland.
British Conquest of Benin (1897)
For many years, the Kingdom of Benin was one of the most powerful and independent states in what is now southern Nigeria. It was famous for its rich culture, strong army, and well-organised leadership under the Oba of Benin. The British wanted to take control of Benin because of its wealth and resources, especially palm oil, rubber, and ivory.
At first, the British tried to establish trade agreements with the Oba, Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, but he resisted because he didn’t trust them. In 1897, the British sent a group of officials to negotiate with the Oba, but they were attacked by Benin warriors. This gave the British an excuse to launch a full military invasion.
The British, with their advanced guns and cannons, attacked Benin City, destroyed its royal palace, looted its priceless artworks (Benin Bronzes), and exiled Oba Ovonramwen to Calabar. This marked the end of the independent Benin Kingdom, and it became part of British-controlled Nigeria.
British Conquest of Other Parts of Yoruba Land (1877-1893)
By the late 19th century, the Yoruba people were divided by a series of civil wars, mainly between powerful states like Ibadan, Ijebu, Egba, and Ilorin. The British saw this as an opportunity to take control.
Ijebu War (1892): The Ijebu people controlled important trade routes and refused to let the British pass through their land. In 1892, the British attacked Ijebu-Ode with modern guns and cannons, defeating the Ijebu army. This opened the way for British influence in the region.
Annexation of Ibadan and Egba (1893): After defeating the Ijebu, the British signed treaties with Ibadan and Egba leaders, bringing them under British protection.
Conquest of Ilorin: Ilorin was controlled by the Fulani, who were linked to the Sokoto Caliphate. The British gradually weakened their influence and took full control of Ilorin by 1900.
By the end of the 19th century, most of Yoruba land was under British rule, setting the stage for the full colonisation of Nigeria.
Summary
Between 1851 and 1900, the British used military force and diplomacy to take control of key areas in Nigeria. They occupied Lagos in 1861 after forcing Oba Dosunmu to surrender. In 1897, they conquered Benin, destroying the city and exiling the Oba. In Yoruba land, they defeated the Ijebu in 1892 and brought Ibadan, Egba, and Ilorin under their rule by 1893-1900. This marked the beginning of full British control over Nigeria.
Evaluation
- Why did the British attack Lagos in 1851, and how did they take full control by 1861?
- What led to the British conquest of Benin in 1897?
- How did the British defeat the Ijebu and take control of Yoruba land?
- What role did the Yoruba civil wars play in the British conquest?
You are doing amazingly well! Keep going, because knowledge is power, and you are building a bright future for yourself. Stay excited for the next lesson—you’re on a journey of greatness! Keep shining, Afrilearn superstar!
School Admin? Grow your school faster with Africa's most trusted school management softwareGet more class notes, videos, homework help, exam practice on Android [DOWNLOAD]
Get more class notes, videos, homework help, exam practice on iPhone [DOWNLOAD]