The Franco-Dahomean Wars
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The Franco-Dahomean Wars was what finally led to the almost complete annihilation of the female warriors. Under the command of King Behanzin, the combined male and female warrior were unable to overcome the French military. The French had established themselves on the Dahomean coast, and after a series on failed negotiations and treaties, the French and Dahomeans found themselves in almost constant conflict.[1] Despite several military successes and bravery of the warriors, the French proved to be mightier foe. It was Frances supreme firepower that was the deciding factor in their encounters with the Dahomeans. They had machine guns, modern breech-loading artillery, and 75-millimeter cannons.[2] “Behanzin surrendered on January 25, 1894.”[3]
Some of the female warriors who survived tried marriage, but hat often proved to be a tumultuous undertaking. Others insisted “that they were superior to men, and that marriage would mean servitude to men.”[4] Many decided to depart for the north with their defeated king. Others chose to seek revenge for their fallen comrades and stayed behind to kill off French officers.[5]
[1] Robert Edgerton, Warrior Women: The Amazons Of Dahomey And The Nature Of War. (Basic Books, 2000): 100-105.
[2] Edgerton, Warrior, 105.
[3] Ibid, 119.
[4] Ibid, 119.
[5] Stanley B. Alpern, Amazons of Black Sparta: The Women Warriors of Dahomey (New York: New York University Press, 1998), 208.
Some of the female warriors who survived tried marriage, but hat often proved to be a tumultuous undertaking. Others insisted “that they were superior to men, and that marriage would mean servitude to men.”[4] Many decided to depart for the north with their defeated king. Others chose to seek revenge for their fallen comrades and stayed behind to kill off French officers.[5]
[1] Robert Edgerton, Warrior Women: The Amazons Of Dahomey And The Nature Of War. (Basic Books, 2000): 100-105.
[2] Edgerton, Warrior, 105.
[3] Ibid, 119.
[4] Ibid, 119.
[5] Stanley B. Alpern, Amazons of Black Sparta: The Women Warriors of Dahomey (New York: New York University Press, 1998), 208.