Final answer:
In the 19th century, Samori Ture and Behanzin Hossu Bowelle were key figures in West African anti-colonialism resistance, leading significant movements against French colonial forces in their respective regions.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the 19th century, two prominent West African leaders who stood against colonial expansion were Samori Ture and Behanzin Hossu Bowelle. Samori Ture created the Wassoulou Empire (Mandingo Empire), spanning parts of present-day Guinea, Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso, and successfully resisted French colonial forces for nearly two decades before being captured in 1898. Behanzin, the last king of the Kingdom of Dahomey, now known as Benin, fought valiantly against French forces in the Franco-Dahomean wars until his defeat and exile in 1894.Their resistance movements were an integral part of the anticolonial efforts in West Africa, encompassing military strategies and administrative reforms aimed at consolidating power and rallying support against European intervention. While the outcomes varied, with the Wassoulou Empire eventually falling to the French and the Kingdom of Dahomey being annexed, their legacies as defenders of African sovereignty remain influential.Conclusion: Samori Ture and Behanzin Hossu Bowelle exemplify the anti-imperial spirit that permeated West Africa during the 19th century. Despite the eventual colonial domination, their resistance provided a foundation for future nationalist movements that would ultimately lead to independence for many West African nations.