|
 During 1899-1900, the British twice tried to take possession of the Golden Stool, symbol of
Ashanti (Asante) power and independence. Sometime in March- April 1900, the
Ashanti reacted to these attempts by launching an armed rebellion and by laying siege to the Kumasi fort, where the British governor and his party had sought refuge.
A British force was sent out to lift the siege but proved to be to small after some
firefights 800 fought their into the fort. This proved to be too many people for
their supplies so the governor left a small force to hold the fort and led a
break out that fought its way to friendly territory. A larger force was sent
out to relieve the fort and after severe fighting it broke through to Kumasi. At
Aboasa they clashed with the Ashanti, who abandoning their skirmishing ways
rushed headlong into the British machine guns.
The British eventually suppressed the Ashanti, both capturing and exiling the rebellion's leader, Yaa
Asantewaa, and fifteen of her closest advisers. The conclusion of the last
Anglo-Ahsanti conflict resulted in the formal annexation of the Ashanti empire as a British
possession; the British established a protectorate on January 1, 1902. |
