An Ashanti Uprising: The Wars and Words Series

The Ashanti Uprising, also known as the Yaa Asantewaa War, was a major uprising in the Gold Coast (now Ghana) in 1900-1901. The uprising was led by Yaa Asantewaa, the Queen Mother of Ejisu, and was a response to the British annexation of Ashanti in 1896. The uprising was eventually defeated by the British, but it had a significant impact on the history of Ghana and the African diaspora.

An Ashanti Uprising (The Wars and Words Series)

by Adrian Musgrave

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1125 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	203 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Background

The Ashanti were a powerful kingdom in West Africa that had resisted British encroachment for decades. In 1874, the British signed a treaty with the Ashanti that recognized their independence. However, the British continued to pressure the Ashanti to accept their authority. In 1895, the British demanded that the Ashanti pay an indemnity for an attack on a British fort. The Ashanti refused, and the British declared war.

The Uprising

The Ashanti Uprising began in March 1900, when Yaa Asantewaa called for a revolt against the British. Asantewaa was a powerful and charismatic leader, and she quickly rallied the Ashanti people to her cause. The uprising spread quickly, and soon the Ashanti were besieging British forts and towns throughout the Gold Coast.

The British were initially caught off guard by the uprising, but they quickly sent reinforcements to the Gold Coast. The British also used their superior firepower to defeat the Ashanti in a series of battles. By the end of 1900, the uprising had been crushed.

Aftermath

The Ashanti Uprising was a major defeat for the Ashanti people. The British exiled Yaa Asantewaa to the Seychelles, where she died in 1921. The British also imposed a heavy indemnity on the Ashanti, and they stripped them of their independence.

The Ashanti Uprising had a significant impact on the history of Ghana and the African diaspora. The uprising showed that the African people were not willing to accept European colonialism without a fight. The uprising also inspired other African leaders to resist European rule.

Legacy

Yaa Asantewaa is considered a national hero in Ghana. She is remembered for her courage and her determination to fight for her people's freedom. The Ashanti Uprising is a reminder of the African people's struggle for independence and self-determination.

The Wars and Words Series

The Wars and Words Series is a collection of books that tell the stories of African wars and resistance movements. The series is edited by Toyin Falola, a Nigerian historian and professor at the University of Texas at Austin.

The Ashanti Uprising is one of the books in the Wars and Words Series. The book tells the story of the uprising from the perspective of the Ashanti people. The book is written by Albert Adu Boahen, a Ghanaian historian and professor at the University of Ghana.

The Wars and Words Series is an important resource for anyone who wants to learn more about African history and the African diaspora. The series provides a unique perspective on African wars and resistance movements, and it helps to dispel the myths and stereotypes that surround these events.

Further Reading

* Boahen, Albert Adu. _Yaa Asantewaa and the Ashanti War_. Accra: Ghana Universities Press, 1971. * Falola, Toyin, ed. _The Wars and Words Series_. Trenton, NJ: Africa World Press, 2000. * Wilks, Ivor. _Asante in the Nineteenth Century_. London: Cambridge University Press, 1975.

An Ashanti Uprising (The Wars and Words Series)

by Adrian Musgrave

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1125 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	203 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE