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The French colonization of Benin was initiated in the later part of the 19th century. France consolidated its control over the west African area by the early 20th century. The French made the area a part of its French West Africa colonial region.
The French colonization of Benin bought in a period of relatively liberal rule. The French government constructed a marine port at Cotonou. Railway lines were laid across the west African country. The Roman Catholic Church established a foothold in the country. Dahomey acquired the status of a French overseas territory in 1946. Dahomey had its own parliament and proper representation in the French National Assembly. The Republique du Dahomey came into existence in 1958.
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