History Paper 2 WASSCE (SC), 2017

Question 6

    Identify any five consequences of the Yoruba Civil Wars in the 19th century.

Observation

This was a very popular question and was attempted by many candidates. Some candidates did
not get the context of the question; they only tried to state the consequences of particular war
which narrowed the scope the answers. However, In order to get good grade, candidates
were expected to mention the following points:

            (i)         The Yoruba Civil Wars led to loss of lives and destruction of property.
(ii)        Disruption in family life.
(iii)       Hunger and starvation as some farmlands were completely burnt down.
(iv)       Suspicion and mistrust among Yoruba States.
(v)        Emergence of new communities which cut across sub-ethnic groups e.g.settlements at Ibadan, Modakeke, Abeokuta, Oyo, Ayede, Sagamu, etc.
(vi)       Insecurity – loss of freedom and safety.
(vii)      Emergence of many war-lords.
(viii)     It brought wealth to the Europeans who supplied guns during the war period.
(ix)       It brought prosperity to families who acted as middlemen especially along the coast.
(x)        It gave room for British intervention and final occupation of Yoruba land.
(xi)       It paved the way to increase Christian missionary activities.
(xii)      It led to migration of people.
(xiii)     It contributed to the disintegration of Old Oyo Empire
(xiv)     It contributed to the increase in the volume of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
(xv)      Displacement of middlemen and loss of livelihood in the interior.
(xvi)     Blockage of trade routes.