Behanzin vs King Sukjong of Joseon

Upon ascending the throne, Behanzin refused to sign a French protectorate treaty that would have made Dahomey a French colony. This act of defiance directly led to the escalation of hostilities and the Second Franco-Dahomean War.

Behanzin led a full-scale war against French colonial forces under General Alfred Dodds. Despite fierce resistance and the use of the Dahomey Amazons, the French superior firepower and logistics led to the capture of the capital, Abomey, in November 1892.

After surrendering to the French in 1894, Behanzin was deposed and exiled to Martinique, a French colony in the Caribbean. This exile ended his reign and marked the definitive end of Dahomey's independence, as the French established full colonial control.

King Sukjong deposed Queen Inhyeon in favor of his concubine, Jang Hui-bin, after a power struggle. This act triggered a major factional conflict between the Southerners (supporting Jang) and the Westerners (supporting Inhyeon), reshaping court politics.

Sukjong restored Queen Inhyeon to her position after Jang Hui-bin's faction lost favor. This reversal led to the purge of the Southerners and the return of the Westerners to power, demonstrating Sukjong's use of queen changes to control factions.

Sukjong's reign saw the rise of the Silhak movement, which emphasized practical reforms in agriculture, commerce, and technology. Scholars like Yi Ik gained influence, leading to policy discussions that later influenced Joseon modernization efforts.

Sukjong deposed and executed his concubine Jang Hui-bin after she was implicated in a plot to curse Queen Inhyeon. This event solidified the power of the Westerners and marked the end of Jang's influence, but also deepened factional hatred.