9781422280713

West Africa

OPPOSITE LEFT: Gezo was a king of the Kingdom of Dahomey, in present-day Benin, from 1818 until 1858. OPPOSITE RIGHT : A map of Benin. BELOW: An engraving depicting armed Dahomey women, accompanied by the king, at war in 1793.

Words to Understand Corruption: Dishonest or illegal behavior especially by people in power such as government officials or

police officers.

Coup: The sudden overthrow of a government by a usually small group of persons, in or previously in positions of authority, usually the military. Voodoo: Originating in Africa, a type of religion involving magic and the worship of spirits.

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