[7] Naturalization can be granted to persons who have resided in the territory for a sufficient period of time to confirm they understand the customs and traditions of the society.

Trade relationships were established initially between the inhabitants and Dutch and Portuguese traders, but by 1623 included French settlers and by 1670 English merchants as well.

[22] Each of these kingdoms were highly organized states wherein political and economic privilege was granted by the ruler who in turn was owed tributes and allegiance for his protection and favor.

[23][24][25] Based upon kinship and ancestral linkages, conquest was undertaken to broaden the ties between ancestors and was not focused on conquering foreigners.

[33][34] Ongoing conflicts continued into the 19th century when in 1886, Dahomey took Kétu and the following year sacked Yoruba villages to the north and east.

[35] However, by that time, European traders increasingly resented the duties collected and fees charged to enter and exit ports.

[36] After diplomatic talks failed to resolve the issues over administration of Porto Novo and tariffs, armed fighting broke out in 1890 and again in 1892.

This provision laid the groundwork for nationality legislation based upon whether the native inhabitants were able to be assimilated by adopting European standards.

[51] These laws prevented a wife from being treated as a slave, required her husband to support her, and entitled her kin to a bride price, to compensate them for the loss of her fertility to their kinship group and secure the legality of the union.

[55] Clarification in the 1897 decree included that bestowing nationality by birth in French territory only applied to children born in France, restoring descent requirements for the colonies.

[56][57][58] The French West African Federation had been founded that year with the existing five colonies, of Dahomey, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Sudan, and was later expanded to include Mauritania, Niger, and Upper Volta.

The language requirement could be waived for those who had received military medals or recognition of the Legion of Honor or were in the French civil service.

[60] The decree noted that married women and minor children acquired the status of their husband or father however, this was only the case if the marriage had been conducted under French law, rather than customary practice.

24 on 25 March 1915 that allowed subjects or protected persons who were non-citizen nationals and had established domicile in a French territory to acquire full citizenship, including the naturalization of their wives and minor children, by having received the cross of the Legion of Honor, having obtained a university degree, having rendered service to the nation, having attained the rank of an officer or received a medal from the French army, who had married a Frenchwoman and established a one year residency; or who had resided for more than ten years in a colony other than their country of origin.

[69] It also allowed children born in France to native-born French women married to foreigners to acquire their nationality from their mothers.

[54][71] Under Article 26 of the 1928 decree was the stipulation that it did not apply to natives of the French possessions except Algeria, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Réunion.

[74] At the end of World War II, a statute issued on 7 March 1944 granted French citizenship to those who had performed services to the nation, such as serving as civil servants or receiving recognitions.

[77] It expressly applied to Algeria, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion and was extended to the Overseas Territories in 1953, but in the case of the latter had distinctions for the rights of those who were naturalized.

[82][83] During the conventions to discuss the 1958 French Constitution opinion in Dahomey was divided as to whether they should refuse to remain in union with France or seek independence.

[85] In January 1959, a constituent assembly was called to discuss building a new African federation including Dahomey, Mali, Senegal, Soudan and Upper Volta.

[87] In 1960, President Charles de Gaulle endorsed the independence of the Mali Federation, which included Senegal and Sudan, without the imposition of economic sanctions.

[99] Failure of the National Assembly to pass the new family regulations, prompted activists from Women in Law & Development in Africa-Bénin to launch a campaign to force a vote on the issue.