Treaty Between Great Britain and Lagos, 1 January 1852 facts for kids
The Treaty Between Great Britain and Lagos was an important agreement signed on January 1, 1852. It was made between Great Britain and Oba Akintoye, the ruler of Lagos. This treaty was signed after a British victory in a conflict known as the Reduction of Lagos. The agreement helped change the history of Lagos by stopping the slave trade.
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Stopping the Slave Trade in Lagos
Britain's Fight Against Slavery
In the early 1800s, Great Britain worked hard to end the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade. This was a terrible system where people were captured and sold as slaves across the Atlantic Ocean. Britain used its navy, called the West Africa Squadron, to stop slave ships. They chased ships from Portugal, America, France, and Cuba.
The British navy became very active along the West African coast. They were present from Sierra Leone all the way to the Niger Delta (which is now part of Nigeria) and even further south to Congo. They also made agreements with local chiefs to stop the slave trade.
In 1849, Britain appointed John Beecroft as their Consul for the Bights of Benin and Biafra. A consul is like a representative from one country living in another. At this time, the Kingdom of Lagos was a major port for slave trading. It was a very busy place where many enslaved people were sold.
By 1851, many formerly enslaved people had gained influence. They put pressure on Britain to act against the slave trade in Lagos. Britain decided to get involved directly. This led to a conflict known as the Bombardment of Lagos.
A New Leader for Lagos
During the Bombardment of Lagos, the British navy attacked the city. They defeated the ruler at the time, Oba Kosoko. After this, the British helped Oba Akintoye become the new ruler of Lagos.
On January 1, 1852, the new treaty was signed between Great Britain and Lagos. This agreement officially made the slave trade illegal in Lagos. It also started a new period in Lagos's history, known as the consular period. During this time, Britain offered some military protection to Lagos.
