Dahomey was a French colony. It was part of French West Africa from 1904 to 1958. In 1947, Dahomey became part of the French Union and had more freedom. On 11 December 1958, the French Fifth Republic was started. The colony became the self-governing Republic of Dahomey. Two years later on 1 August 1960 the country had full independence. In 1975 it changed its name to Benin.