Editing Béhanzin (section)

=== First Franco-Dahomean War ===
{{Main|First Franco-Dahomean War}}

In March 1889, Dahomey attacked a village on the [[Ouémé Department|Ouémé]] whose chief was under the protection of the French.<ref name=":0">{{Citation |title=First Franco-Dahomean War |date=2022-11-29 |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=First_Franco-Dahomean_War&oldid=1124623888 |work=Wikipedia |language=en |access-date=2023-02-19}}</ref> After remarking that the flag of the tricolour would protect him, the Fon commanded one of his Dahomey Amazons to behead him and wrap his head in the flag.<ref name=":0" /> France responded by fortifying the city of [[Cotonou]], which had been ceded to them by a Dahomey representative in [[Ouidah]], increasing its forces with French Senegalese and Gabonese soldiers, and arresting local Dahomey officials who had been continuing to collect customs in the port. Skirmishes also broke out with local militias. On March 4, 1890, a Dahomey army of several thousand charged the log stockade around Cotonou at approximately 5 in the morning. The French army stood fast due to superior weaponry, strategy and the advantageous position they had prepared. Eventually Béhanzin's forces were forced to withdraw. While there were few losses on the French side, the Dahomey suffered the loss of several hundred soldiers (129 within French lines).

After regrouping, Dahomey sent its forces south to attack the French-protected city of Porto-Novo ruled by King [[Toffa I]]. A force of 350 French soldiers assisted by 500 of King Toffa's soldiers intercepted Béhanzin's force of 9000 warriors in the [[Battle of Atchoukpa]]. While the local Porto-Novo soldiers were routed during the initial Dahomey charge, the French forces formed [[Infantry square|infantry squares]] to protect themselves and successfully repelled the Dahomey, suffering only 8 casualties to the Dahomey's 1500.

On 3 October 1890, Dahomey signed a treaty recognizing the kingdom of Porto-Novo as a French [[protectorate]]. Béhanzin was also forced to definitely cede Cotonou.