Benin Expedition of 1897

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Benin Expedition of 1897

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British conquest and annexation of the independent Kingdom of Benin in 1897.

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Origins & Early Life

The Benin Expedition of 1897 was the conquest of the Kingdom of Benin by British forces that led to the annexation of Benin into colonial Nigeria. In late December 1896, a party of 250 people led by James Phillips of the Niger Coast Protectorate set off to Benin City with the stated purpose of discussing trade relations with their leader, Ovonramwen, but Phillips did not wait for his approval before crossing into Benin. The party was attacked by Benin forces on 4 January with almost everyone killed or captured. In response, the British invaded Benin on 9 February with 1,200 men under the command Sir Harry Rawson. Rawson's troops captured Benin City with minimal losses, while an unknown number of Benin people were killed.

Career & Major Achievements

African porters who had been captured in the January attack and enslaved were freed. The expedition resulted in the looting of cultural artefacts, including the Benin Bronzes, the exile of Ovonramwen, and the annexation of Benin into the Niger Coast Protectorate. The Benin Bronzes, which are currently mostly held by the British Museum, are subject to an ongoing movement to repatriate them and have become a symbol of an incomplete decolonisation of Africa. At the end of the 19th century, the Kingdom of Benin had retained its independence during the Scramble for Africa, and the Oba of Benin exercised a monopoly over trade in Benin's territories which the Royal Niger Company considered a threat. In 1892, Deputy Commissioner and Vice-Consul Captain Henry Lionel Galway (1859–1949) tried to negotiate a trade agreement with Oba Ovọnramwẹn Nọgbaisi (1888–1914) to allow for the free passage of goods through his territory and the development of the palm oil industry.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Captain Gallwey (as his name was then spelled) pushed for British interests in the region, especially of the palm oil industry, by attempting to negotiate a free trade agreement with the Oba at the time. Later, Ralph Moor urged the Foreign Office to use whatever means to secure the signed treaty, up to and including force. Gallwey signed the treaty with the Oba and his chiefs which gave Britain legal justification for exerting greater influence in the region. The Oba was hesitant to sign the treaty. After the British consul Richard Burton visited Benin in 1862 he described it a place of "gratuitous barbarity which stinks of death", a narrative which was publicized in Britain and increased pressure for the territory's incorporation into the British Empire.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1862: 1862 Milestone — After the British consul Richard Burton visited Benin in 1862 he described it a place of "gratuitous barbarity which stinks of death", a narrative which was publicized in Britain and increased pressure for the territory's incorporation into the British Empire.
2. 1892: 1892 Milestone — In 1892, Deputy Commissioner and Vice-Consul Captain Henry Lionel Galway (1859–1949) tried to negotiate a trade agreement with Oba Ovọnramwẹn Nọgbaisi (1888–1914) to allow for the free passage of goods through his territory and the development of the palm oil industry.
3. 1896: 1896 Milestone — In late December 1896, a party of 250 people led by James Phillips of the Niger Coast Protectorate set off to Benin City with the stated purpose of discussing trade relations with their leader, Ovonramwen, but Phillips did not wait for his approval before crossing into Benin.
4. 1897: 1897 Milestone — The Benin Expedition of 1897 was the conquest of the Kingdom of Benin by British forces that led to the annexation of Benin into colonial Nigeria.

Notable Quotes by Benin Expedition of 1897

“The Oba was hesitant to sign the treaty.”

“I described it a place of "gratuitous barbarity which stinks of death"” (1862)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Benin Expedition of 1897

True or False: “The primary stated goal of the initial British mission to Benin City in late 1896 was military conquest.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The stated purpose of James Phillips' party was to discuss trade relations with Oba Ovonramwen.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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