The Asante Empire (Asante Twi: Asanteman), also known as the Ashanti Empire, was an Akan state that lasted from 1701 to 1902, in what is now modern-day Ghana. It expanded from the Ashanti Region to include most of Ghana and also parts of Ivory Coast and Togo. Due to the empire's military prowess, wealth, architecture, sophisticated hierarchy, trade networks and culture, the Asante Empire has been extensively studied and has more historic records written by European, primarily British, authors than any other indigenous culture of sub-Saharan Africa.
Starting in the late 17th century, the Asante king Osei Tutu (c. 1695 – 1717) and his adviser Okomfo Anokye established the Asante Kingdom, with the Golden Stool of Asante as a sole unifying symbol. Osei Tutu oversaw a massive Asante territorial expansion, building up the army by introducing new organisation and turning a disciplined royal and paramilitary army into an effective fighting machine. In 1701, the Asante army conquered Denkyira, giving the Asante access to the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean coastal trade with Europeans, notably the Dutch. The economy of the Asante Empire was mainly based on the trade of gold and agricultural exports as well as slave trading, craft work and trade with markets further north.
The Asante Empire fought several wars with neighboring kingdoms and lesser organized groups such as the Fante. The Asante held their own against the British in the first two of the five Anglo-Ashanti Wars, killing British army general Sir Charles MacCarthy and keeping his skull as a gold-rimmed drinking cup in 1824. British forces later burnt and sacked the Asante capital of Kumasi, however, and following the final Asante defeat at the fifth Anglo-Ashanti War, the Asante empire became part of the Gold Coast colony on 1 January 1902. Today, the Asante Kingdom survives as a constitutionally protected, sub-national traditional state in union with the Republic of Ghana. The current king of the Asante kingdom is Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. The Asante kingdom is the home to Lake Bosumtwi, Ghana's only natural lake. The state's current economic revenue is derived mainly from trading in gold bars, cocoa, kola nuts and agriculture.
Etymology
Meaning of the name Asante
The name Asante means "because of war". The word derives from the Twi words ɔsa meaning "war" and nti meaning "because of". This name comes from the Asante's origin as a kingdom created to fight the Denkyira kingdom.
The variant name "Ashanti" comes from British reports transcribing "Asante" as the British heard it pronounced, as-hanti. The hyphenation was subsequently dropped and the name Ashanti remained, with various spellings including Ashantee common into the early 20th century.
History
Amansie and the Five cradles of Akan civilization
Akan traditions preserve several types of historical narratives known as adomankomasem (creation stories), atetesem (migration traditions), and abakomsem (histories of political authority). In Asante traditions, Amansie is remembered as the early homeland of the Akan people and means the "Origin of the Nations" or the "Settlement of the Aborigines." The region was associated with the ancestors of the Aduana and Oyoko clans, who are said to have first settled at Asumennya–Santemanso. One tradition recounts how a golden chain descended from the sky carrying a stool and a herald woman, Ankyewea Nyame, the ancestor of the Oyoko lineage, who settled at Asantemanso where other people later emerged from the earth and joined her community. From Amansie, a large portion of the Akan population later migrated to Adanse, where permanent settlements were established and the transition from mobile communities to organized political societies began. Early Akan political organization developed around communities known as aman (states), which were independent political communities governed by ruling lineages. Authority within the communities was symbolized by the akonnwa (stools), which represented the legitimacy of a chief's right to rule. The earliest Akan states in the region between the Pra and Ofin rivers were Adansemanso, Abuakwa Atwumamanso, Asenmanso, Abankeseso, and Asantemanso, collectively known as the Akanman Nnum Piesie ("Five First-Born Akan States").
Asantemanso
Excavations in Asantemanso, near present-day Essumeja, revealed continuous occupation from at least the 9th century CE, with traces of earlier habitation possibly dating as far back as 700 BCE. Excavations uncovered iron-smelting furnaces, pottery, and the remains of houses. During the first millennium CE, Asantemanso was one of several towns in the forest-savannah areas, alongside Adansemanso, Bima, Begho, Bono Manso, and Ahwene Koko. They were part of a trade network that connected the forest with the Middle Niger Valley through Wangara merchants.. By the 10th century, Asantemanso had grown into a large town with pottery similar to that found in the Birim Valley. According to Ray Kea, Asantemanso was a proto-urban polity and a "technology of power" in the forest zone. He wrote that it was the center of abirempon that organized gold production, trade, and political authority in the surrounding area. From the 15th century onward, people from Asantemanso moved north and founded Kumase, Dwaben, Kokofu, Kumawu, and nearby towns. As the new towns grew, Asantemanso declined and was no longer the center of Asanteman.
Adanse and the formation of Akan states
In Akan oral tradition, Adanse is the place where Odomankoma (God) began the creation of the word. It is also associated with the beginnings of Akan kingship and the abusua (clan) system. Adansemanso, the first capital of Adanse, was continuously occupied from the 9th century CE, with earlier settlement dating to 393 CE. Excavations revealed that the town reached its largest size between the 13th and 15th centuries. According to Osei Tutu Agyeman Prempeh II, the Adanse were the most powerful and advanced of the early Akan groups and were remembered for establishing the first organized kingship in the region. Many southern Akan regarded the region as their ancestral homeland, as well as the origin of many ruling lineages. The Agona of Denkyira originally lived the area stretching from Asokwa west of Obuase and Akrofuom to the meeting of the Oda and Ofin rivers. The Asona, who later founded Ejisu (Edweso), Offinso, and Akyem Abuakwa, traced their ancestry to Kokobiante. The rulers of Assin Atandasu as well as the Asona of Apemanim, the Afutuakwa of Fosu, and the Aboabo of Assin Nyankomase traced their origins to the Pra–Kusa range. The Bretuo of Mampon and Kwahu, the Oyoko of Abadwum and Edubiase, and the Ekouna of Fomena also regard Adanse as the origin point where later lineages migrated from. From the 16th century onward, several clans moved north and established new towns and states. The Agona were among the first and founded Tafo. They were followed by the Ekoona, Aduana, and Asene, who established Domaa, Amakom, Awima, Kwabre, Suntreso, Asokore, Kwaaman, Kenyase, Kaase, and other settlements. The states took part in trade between the northwestern savanna and the forest.
The kingdoms of Arcania and the Accanists
References to inland Akan-speaking polities appear in European sources in the early sixteenth century. Duarte Pacheco Pereira, writing between 1505 and 1508, listed the Haccanys among the principal gold-trading groups of in the Gold Coast, alongside the Bremus, Atis, Boroes, and Madinguas. In 1519, the same inland states requested that livestock and other goods be sent to the "King of Assan" in exchange for gold. To secure cooperation from inland traders, Portuguese agents distributed gifts to encourage movement toward coastal markets. One report revealed that 1,550 Martin de Castro sent messengers to Akani, located four days inland from Elmina. Other Portuguese records later referred to envoys and rulers identified as “Kings of Akan,” and by 1548 mentioned internal wars among them. A report of 1572 referred to the kingdom of Asaas and stated that the gold exported from that territory was originally mined at Tafoe (Tafo). Throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the names Accany, Akani, and Arcania appeared in Portuguese, Dutch, and English records. The label referred to inland gold-producing regions north of the coastal states. The region was north of Fante, Agona, and Etsi, west of Kwahu and Akwamu, and south of Bono and Wenchi. It was located in the area between the Ofin, Pra, and Birim river basins. This region was densely populated and associated with gold production and trade. European merchants referred to inland Akan gold traders as Accanists. The traders transported gold and other goods to coastal markets such as Elmina and Kormantine. Akani merchants supplied a large amount of the gold exported annually by European merchants on the coast. K. Y. Daaku described it as a confederation of Akan polities bound by kinship and trade, centered on Adanse, which he identified as the political and commercial core. J. K. Fynn interpreted it as a centralized kingdom extending across Adanse, south to Assin, east into parts of Akyem, and west toward Denkyira. Ray Kea instead believed it as a trading society organized around merchant groups that controlled inland gold routes.
The fall of Adanse and the fragmentation of the Akan heartland
The breakup of the Akan heartland resulted from succession disputes, competition over trade, and struggles for political control among leading clans. Akyem Abuakwa traditions trace the crisis to the death of Awurade Basa, king of Adansemanso and creator of the Afenakwa sword, a symbol of centralized authority. As wealth became concentrated in Assin and Denkyira, conflicts over tolls, markets, and caravan routes undermined the confederation. The weakening of Adanse’s political unity led to the movement of several Akan people lineages. Some, including the Asona clan, who crossed east of the Pra, while others, among them the ancestors of the Asante, moved north from the Amansie to the Kumasi area. After 1629, the movements intensified with the military campaigns of the Denkyira. Under Werempe-Ampem, Denkyira expanded through military force and control of the gold trade, absorbing many Akan territories and disrupting established trade networks. By the mid-seventeenth century, the introduction of firearms altered the balance of power in the interior. The Portuguese and Dutch were officially restricted from selling guns, increasing European competition after the 1650s led to greater availability of firearms on the coast. Dutch officials reported growing demand for guns on the Gold Coast by 1658. During this period, Adanse was defeated and Denkyira rose to become the dominant power in the Pra-Ofin basin. After the victory Denkyira became the leading power in the Gold Coast hinterland and extended its authority over neighboring regions.
Migrations from Akan heartland and the rise of the Oyoko states
Members of the Oyoko and Ekoona clans migrated north from Adanse and Amansie to avoid Denkyira’s domination. They settled in new areas where they could control land and trade with less interference. Oti Akenten was credited with leading the movement of the Oyoko clan from Asantemanso to Kokofu to Kwaman. During his leadership, the Oyoko became stronger than the Ekoona headmen who had previously held authority in the area. At the time of the migration, the forest region was already full of well established Akan states like Kaase, Tafo, Amakom and others. The Kwaman area was bordered to the north and north-east by the Guan state of Atara Frinam, and to the north-west by the Bono kingdom. It was located near Tafo, which was an inland trading center on the north–west route. The location allowed the polity to take part in and influence regional trade. The Adanse-Amansie migrants competed for land and control of trade routes which contributed to closer political coordination among them. The Oyoko settled at Nsuta, Juaben, Kokofu, Bekwai, and Kumasi, creating a group of towns within about thirty miles of present-day Kumasi. The concentration of settlements later formed the territorial nucleus of the Asante Union. From this base, the Oyoko leadership began consolidating surrounding settlements into a loose confederation.
Political conflicts before the rise of Asante
By the late seventeenth century the interior of the Gold Coast was dominated by three major Akan states: Denkyira, Akyem, and Akwamu. Their control of gold production and inland trade routes made them the principal powers of the region. After numerous military campaigns, Denkyira controlled several gold-producing regions like Aowin, Gwira, Wassa, Twifo, Adanse, and Asante, monopolizing the gold resources of the upper Tano, Ankobra, Ofin, and Pra river systems. Rivalry among Denkyira, Akyem, and Akwamu contributed to political instability in the hinterland as the states competed for control of gold production, kola trade, and the inland routes linking the forest states with the coast. The Denkyirahene Boamponsem required the ruler of Kwaman to pay an annual tribute of gold and palm oil and to send a member of the royal family to reside at the Denkyira court. In response, the Kumase ruler Oti Akenten sent his nephew Osei Tutu, who remained for a period at the Denkyira capital accompanied by several attendants, including the future Asante military leader Amankwatia. After this period Osei Tutu sought refuge at the court of the Akwamuhene Nana Ansa Sasraku I while avoiding Denkyira authority. Akwamu later supported Osei Tutu during the formation of the Asante Union in an effort to counterbalance the Denkyira–Akyem alliance and weaken their influence in the interior. At Akwamu he became associated with Okomfo Anokye, the future cofounder of the Asante Empire. After returning to Kumase, relations with Denkyira deteriorated and tensions intensified between the two states.
The foundation of Asante
Around 1680, leadership of the growing Asante union passed to Nana Obiri Yeboa, who continued the process of political consolidation. His death in battle with the Dormaa led to the rise of Osei Tutu I.At this time, the Asante states were subject to Denkyira. The Denkyirahene Ntim Gyakari demanded heavy tribute. When the Asante refused, war broke out around 1698. According to Asante tradition, the leaders of Nsuta, Mampong, Dwaben, Bekwai, and Kokofu met before the final break with Denkyira. During this period, the Golden Stool (Sika dwa) became the central symbol of unity under Osei Tutu I. The stool remains sacred and is believed to contain the Sunsum of the Asante people. In 1701, Osei Tutu and Okomfo Anokye led a coalition of Asante states against Denkyira and defeated them at the Battle of Feyiase. The victory ended Denkyira’s control over the Asante states. After the war, the allied rulers recognized Kumasi as the center of the union and Osei Tutu as Asantehene.
Dutch relations and consolidation of Power
After gaining independence from Denkyira in 1701, Asante emerged as the dominant inland power. With Denkyira removed as the intermediary between the interior states and the European forts on the coast, the inland trade from Anomabo in the east to Axim in the west began to shift toward Kumasi. European merchants and officials who had previously dealt with Denkyira redirected their attention to the Asante court, which soon began receiving delegations from the English, Dutch, and Danish companies seeking commercial and diplomatic relations with the Asante. The Dutch attempted to secure their position by sending David van Nyendael to Kumasi. Nyendael became the first European to reach the Asante capital and served as the first European consul at the court of the Asante kings. He remained in Kumasi for more than a year to strengthen Dutch influence in the interior trade network. The English attempted to challenge Dutch influence at Kumasi. After the loss of coastal influence to the Dutch, English representatives tried to win the favor of the Asante state and promote English commercial interests when Sir Dalby Thomas served as Agent-General at Cape Coast between 1707 and 1711.
Despite the victory over Denkyira in 1701, the inland region remained unstable. The defeat of Denkyira opened the route from the interior to the coast, but many of the states that had previously been under Denkyira, including Wassa, Twifo, Sefwi, Aowin, and Assin, had supported Asante during the war in the hope of regaining independence. Conflict developed when Asante attempted to extend authority over the same territories. In the years immediately after the fall of Denkyira, Asante conducted campaigns in several directions to secure control over the interior and the routes linking the interior with the coast. These conflicts included both punitive wars intended to demonstrate Asante power and wars aimed at securing control of trade routes and important sources of commodities. In 1702 a combined Akyem and Denkyira force defeated Asante. Akyem remained hostile to Kumasi and provided refuge for opponents of Asante authority. In 1706 Asante forces under Amankwa Tia, the first Kontihene of Kumasi, joined Wassa in a campaign against Denkyira. Denkyira was defeated again and reduced to tributary status. One of the states on the western route that had long opposed Asante was Domaa. In an early encounter at Suntresu, near Kumasi, the Domaas were driven from their settlement. A later conflict proved fatal for Obiri Yeboa, the predecessor of Osei Tutu. Osei Tutu later avenged this defeat, although resistance from Domaa continued.
The fall of Wenchi and war with Aowin
After suppressing Denkyira resistance, Asante turned its attention to the west in order to secure control of the trade routes linking the forest states with the northern markets and the coast. Wenchi and neighboring states occupied important positions along routes leading toward Nsoko (Begho). Ahwene Koko was the capital of the Wenchi state and became a target during these campaigns. According to Wenchi traditions, Osei Tutu attacked Ahwene Koko in order to obtain the “precious Ahenedwa (red bead stool)” of the Wenchi ruler. Wenchi was a wealthy trading state and the polity benefited from access to kola and alluvial gold and was also known for its cloth industry. A Dutch map of 1629 described Wenchi as producing “artistically beautiful cloths which the inhabitants sell to the Akani.” In October 1715, Dutch records from Axim reported that an Asante army of about 3,000 men had attacked an inland town identified as “Affindie Cocco.” The stool was never recovered after the destruction of the town and was said to have been buried near the junction of the Tano and Trome rivers. After the destruction of Ahwene Koko, the Wenchi chief Dinckra took refuge in Aowin with about three hundred Asante soldiers who had accompanied him during the campaign. Dutch officials at Axim reported that their presence in Aowin was expected to give an “immediate cause for war.”
Between 1712 and 1715 Asante and Wassa turned against Twifo. Twifo was defeated, made tributary, and its ruler was removed and replaced.
By 1714 Asante had defeated most of the states that had previously acknowledged Denkyira authority but Aowin continued to resist Asante control. Preparations for war were reported early in 1715, with both Asante and Aowin beginning to collect firearms and ammunition. Traders returning from the interior reported that Aowin rulers were purchasing large quantities of “powder and guns.” The rulers restricted the movement of traders leaving the state so that news of the preparations would not reach Kumasi. Between April and September 1715 Asante forces moved through Wassa and advanced toward Aowin. Twifo chiefs from Intwan and Ajepa supported the campaign, and later in the year Akan forces from Akyem under Amankwatia joined the army. Early reports suggested that Asante forces had been repelled, but by December the Aowin army was described as “on the run to the windward coast.” The campaign ended with the defeat of Aowin and the imposition of a fine of about £2,000 and several slaves. After the defeat of Aowin, Amankwatia led Asante forces toward the coast. The army moved through Abocroe, Ankobra, Nzima, and Igwira, compelling the inhabitants to pay tribute and provide supplies for Aowin refugees. Reports in December 1715 stated that “the Asantes had ruined Cape Apollonia,” and that Asante miners were carrying gold from the interior to the coast. The advance of the Asante army threw the windward coast from Sekondi to Cape Palmas into confusion, and several coastal states sought protection from the Dutch against possible further attacks. After the campaigns in the western interior, Asante soon faced renewed conflict with Akyem to the east.
Wars with Akyem and Internal Crisis
Tensions with Akyem continued because Akyem had supported Denkyira and remained opposed to Asante expansion. In 1717, war broke out between the two states, and the Asante were defeated on the Pra. During the fighting, Osei Tutu I was killed, and soon afterward the experienced war leader Amankwa Tia also died. Reports from the coast in 1718 described Asante as divided and in confusion. The unity achieved after 1701 was weakened, and neighboring states began to reassess their position. While Asante forces were engaged in war with Akyem, the Aowin marched into Kumasi and sacked the capital. According to the Dutch factor at Axim, the Aowin army numbered about 9,000 and returned with considerable booty, including 20.000 Asante women and children, and they carried away “much gold and conte de Terra [Aggrey beads].”
In April 1718, the Wassa, the Denkyira and the Twifo requested “the Akim caboceer Affory to come to them and then jointly attack the Assjantynse in their own country,” and reports indicated that the Aowin and the Wassa were preparing themselves “with powder and guns.” Dutch correspondence suggested that the defeat of the Asante had been linked to the conduct of the Akwamu, as Akonno, the Akwamuhene, allegedly advised the Asante to pass through Akwamu territory and then informed the Akyem of their route. The Asante troops were surrounded, deprived of food, and smallpox broke out before the Akyem launched a decisive attack. Faced with revolt and isolation, the Asante sought accommodation with Akyem in 1718, and a Dutch report stated that both had realised they had been “so miserably and knavishly duped by the Aquamboes.” After recognising the strategic cost of continued conflict, both states chose to stabilize their relations and redirect their attention to other regional challenges. After 1720, Asante and Akyem remained at peace.
War against Aowin, Nzima, Wassa, Bono, Gyaman, Gonja, Krakye and Dagomba
In 1721 and 1722, Asante decided to attack Aowin, Nzima and Wassa in order to secure the western trade routes. During the campaigns, the Asante fought many battles against Aowin and Nzima, which ended in their total defeat. The Dutch reported that “the gold rich Awinse suffered its greatest defeat,” and that large numbers of Aowin prisoners were sold as slaves at Elmina, Cape Coast and Anomabo. John Atkins, a British naval officer on the Nzima coast at the time, recorded that he personally met the Queen of Nzima and her followers who had fled their country at Assini. After defeating Aowin and Nzima, the Asante intended to extend the campaign into Wassa territory, but hostilities were temporarily halted because Tekyiman threatened an invasion of Asante. In 1722, Bono was conquered by subterfuge using Bafo Pim and the Nkoronzas. Afterward, Nkoranza became a base for further expansion to the north and north-west. From Nkoranza, Asante forces later moved into Banda, eastern Gonja and Krakyè and defeated Dagomba.
By 1726, Asante was ready to deal with Wassa, now ruled by Intsiful Asare. In January of that year it was reported that “the king of Asjantijn is marching against the Wassaws.” In a series of severe contests, Wassa resistance was overcome and the Wassa king retired to Pepesia to assemble his people. Intsiful sent envoys to Fort Hollandia at Butri asking that his “wives and slave women” be admitted into the Dutch fort for protection. The English instead granted him protection at Dixcove and told him that if he were attacked by Tokoe and the Asante he should go to Cabo Corso (Cape Coast), promising that the Fante would march to assist him. On the same day, a large canoe passed laden with muskets and other goods for Dixcove to supply Intsiful. Ahanta troops led by John Konny, supported by an Asante contingent, attacked the Wassa at Dixcove. The Wassa king escaped with about 1,500 followers to Toho and then to Quasje Mintim, intending to go to Sekondi. He was later allowed to pitch his camp in Abrem territory, where he prepared to receive the Asante army. On 4 May 1726, an Asante chief, Adjei Twum, informed the Dutch at Shama that permission was being sought from the Asantehene to wage war on both Wassa and Fante. Soon afterward, it was disclosed that Opoku Ware had sent reinforcements totalling 50,000 men under Alane (Anane), described as a brother of “Saijtoe (Osei Tutu) the deceased king of Ashantee,” and caboceer Aprecoe (Apraku). These forces included contingents from Takyiman, Aowin and Twifo. Because the Fante were determined to protect the Wassa king and the Dutch suspected English support for Wassa and Fante, the Dutch Director-General Pieter Valckenier ordered that the Asante be supplied with arms and gunpowder. With this support, Asante forces entered Abrem and burned several towns and villages. However, since they could not fight the combined forces of Wassa and Fante supported by the English, the Asante army withdrew to Twifo.
Gyaman was conquered because of its gold fields and trade. A tribute of 18,000 ounces of gold dust per annum was imposed, and the gold trade was diverted to Kumasi away from the north-west and the north. Conflict with Wassa continued. In 1729, Ntsiful attacked “the country of Cuifferoe which is the key of Ashantee and the path by which trade is brought to the waterside.” He sold sixty war prisoners to the English and prohibited trade with the Dutch “against whome (sic) he is very much incensed.” Opoku Ware responded by sending 10,000 troops. The Wassa were defeated, and the Dutch Director General reported that “at last the Asjantijn ... have defeated the notorious king of Warsaw, Intuffer, his whole country is ruined.” Intsiful was not eliminated, he depopulated his country, moved toward the Fante and Ahanta borders, and founded a new Wassa state called Fiase. From there he occupied “certain impregnable passages” and blocked inland traders from reaching the west coast. He also entered into an offensive and defensive alliance with “the kings and chiefs of all the coastal states from Cape Appolonia to the Rio Volta” to prevent guns and gunpowder from reaching Asante.
Second war with Akyem
While Asante was consolidating its position in other regions, Akyem expanded rapidly. In 1730, Akyem defeated Akwamu and expelled them across the Volta to establish their capital at Akwamufie. Akyem Kotoku gained control over several Akwamu towns, while much of western Akwamu fell to Akyem Abuakwa, and the latter created the state of Akuapem where Ofori Dua was enstooled Omanhene. The rapid expansion of Akyem power alarmed Kumasi, and in 1742 war broke out again between Asante and Akyem. After several engagements, the Asante emerged victorious and Apau, Ba Kwante, and Owusu Akyem Tenten were killed. Following the victory, the Asantehene received the ground rents for the European settlements at Accra. In May 1742 the Danes began to pay “thirty-two rigsdaler for his overlordship [overherskab] and for the sake of trade from himself and his subjects, in addition to an annual expensive present,” and in 1757 the British paid “Cuishee Kwasi Obodum, king of Ashantee his ground rent at £8 per month from 15 January, 1756–15 January, 1757 in trade goods.”
Northern Consolidation
In the 1750s, the Fante controlled the coast from the Pra River to the borders of the Ga kingdom. In 1766, they executed a messenger who attempted to smuggle “a quarter barrel of gun powder.”
Dagomba was conquered in the early 1770s and paid tribute of 500 slaves, 200 cattle, 400 sheep, 400 cotton cloths and 200 silk cloths annually.
In 1778 and 1789 reports stated that the Fante would not allow the Ashantees to come down through their country.
In the early 1780s, the “Duncoes” revolted and in several engagements “had the advantage over the Ashantees.” In the early 1790s, Osei Kwame considered sending 10,000 troops to the lower Volta area, but the army was not sent largely because of Anglo-Dutch opposition.
Reign of Osei Bonsu and War with the Fante
In 1806, Asante forces pursued two rebel leaders through Fante territory to the coast. The British refusal to surrender the rebels led to an Asante attack.
In 1807, disputes led to the Ashanti–Fante War. In 1811, during the Ga–Fante War, Asante defeated an alliance of Fante, Akwapim and Akim states. By 1816, Asante had absorbed the Fante Confederacy.Gocking (2005), p. 30
After the revolt of Adinkira in 1818, Asante tightened control over Gyaman. Troops were stationed at Amanaha on the Assin river, and roads were built between Kumasi and Bontuku, and from Kintampo through Buipe to Jenne and Segu.
Ashanti–Akim–Akwapim War
In 1814 the Asante launched an invasion of the Gold Coast, largely to gain access to European traders. In the Ashanti–Akim–Akwapim War, the empire faced the Akim–Akwapim alliance. After several battles, the out numbered Akim–Akwapim alliance were defeated and became tributories to the Asantes. The Asante was established from the midlands down to the coast.
Relations with the British
On May 15, 1817, the Englishman Thomas Bowdich entered Kumasi. He remained there for several months, was impressed, and on his return to England wrote a book, Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee. His praise of the kingdom was disbelieved as it contradicted prevailing prejudices. Joseph Dupuis, the first British consul in Kumasi, arrived on March 23, 1820. Both Bowdich and Dupuis secured a treaty with the Asantehene, but the governor, Hope Smith, did not meet Ashanti expectations.
From 1824 till 1899 there were five Anglo-Ashanti wars between the Asante Empire and Great Britain and its allies. The wars were mainly due to Asante attempts to establish a stronghold over the coastal areas of present-day Ghana. Coastal peoples such as the Fante and the Ga came to rely on British protection against Asante incursions.
First Anglo-Ashanti War
The first of the Anglo-Ashanti wars occurred in 1823. In these conflicts, the Asante empire faced off, with varying degrees of success, against the British Empire residing on the coast. The root of the conflict traces back to 1823 when Sir Charles MacCarthy, resisting all overtures by the Asante to negotiate, led an invading force. The Asante defeated this, killed MacCarthy, took his head for a trophy and swept on to the coast. However, disease forced them back. The Asante were so successful in subsequent fighting that in 1826 they again moved on the coast. The Asante were stopped about 15 kilometres (10 mi) north of Accra by a British led force. They fought against superior numbers of British allied forces, including Denkyirans until the novelty of British rockets caused the Asante army to flee. In 1831, a treaty led to 30 years of peace, with the Pra River accepted as the border.
Second Anglo-Ashanti War
With the exception of a few Asante light skirmishes across the Pra in 1853 and 1854, the peace between the Asante and British Empire had remained unbroken for over 30 years. Then, in 1863, a large Asante delegation crossed the river pursuing a fugitive, Kwesi Gyana. There was fighting, casualties on both sides, but the governor's request for troops from England was declined and sickness forced the withdrawal of his West Indian troops. The war ended in 1864 as a stalemate with both sides losing more men to sickness than any other factor.
Third Anglo-Ashanti War
In 1869 a European missionary family was taken to Kumasi. They were hospitably welcomed and were used as an excuse for war in 1873. Also, Britain took control of Asante land claimed by the Dutch. The Asante invaded the new British protectorate. General Wolseley and his famous Wolseley ring were sent against the Asante. This was a modern war, replete with press coverage (including by the renowned reporter Henry Morton Stanley) and printed precise military and medical instructions to the troops. The British government refused appeals to interfere with British armaments manufacturers who were unrestrained in selling to both sides.