Week 6: European Exploration of Sub-Saharan Africa

What are the stages and processes to colonialism?

1. Exploration

2. Legitimate trade

3. Slavery (illegitimate trade)

4. Christian missionary works

5. Colonialism

6. Independence

7. Neo-colonialism

When did the Portuguese first voyage to Africa?

1420 by Prince Henry the Navigator Madeira

What occurred in the years 1434-43?

Portuguese in Cape Bojador; built a fortress on Arguin in Mauritania, trading wheat, cloth for African gold (later slaves)

What countries were “founded” in 1444-47?

The Portuguese founded Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea

What occurred in 1956?

the Alvise Cadamosto got to Cape Verde

What occurred in 1462?

The Portuguese named Serra Leoa (lioness mountains)

What occurred in 1471?

Fernao Gomes reached modern day Ghana; settled in Edina, later renamed Elmina

A land with an abundance of gold, “Gold Coast”

What occurred in 1472-97

Fernao do Po got to and named Cameroon

• established a base in Sao Tome

• 1485 Sao Tome settled with European Criminals

• 1497 Spanish and Portuguese jews also forcibly sent/deported to Sao tome

What occurred in 1482?

Diogo Cao ‘found’ river Kongo; learned of the great Kingdom of Kongo

What occurred in 1488?

Bartholomeu Dias reached and named Cape of Good Hope

What occurred in 1492?

Columbus sailed and landed in the Americas

What occurred in 1497 to 1498?

Vasco da Gama had:

• reached Mozambique and Kenya

• found Arab and Chinese traders in Malindi (modern day Kenya)

• recruited an Arab pilot and travelled directly to Calicut in India

What occurred on August 28, 1498?

King Manuel of Portugal informed the Pope of the good news that Portugal had reached India

As a result of August 28, 1498, what occurred?

there was the start of legitimate trade in Sub-Saharan Africa, soon however, transitioning into Trans Atlantic Slave Trade

What was the Trade Journey in Sub-Saharan Africa?

It was the passage of Gold and other goods being controlled and organized through the length and breadth of Africa prior to Europeans arrival

Where was the wealth of the trade journey consolidated?

Within magnificent Kingdoms and empires such as Ghana, Mali, Songhai, Ashanti, etc.

What was beneficial about the long distance trade routes in the Sahara?

These routes brought Islamic law and religion to the heart of Africa

Where else was the gold transported?

Transported North by camel caravans to the far distant cities of Marrakesh and Cairo, extending into Europe, Asia, India and China

What were the main trade hubs in the Sahara?

1. Koumbi Saleh

2. Jenne

3. Mopti

4. Timbuktu in Mali

When did Europe start trading with Africa for gold coins since Roman Times?

13th Century

What was African gold symbolized as on England’s gold coin?

The African elephant, depicted in the gold guinea of Charles II reign

Which King was thought to be the richest in the world?

the King of Ghana

How large was the Mali empire?

“four months travel wide and four months long”; larger than Western Europe

How did a Spanish map of 1375 depict the King of Mali?

He was riding a camel in the midst of the Sahara desert and showed the “Great Lord of Mali, the wealthiest man on Earth,”

What made Kan Kan Musa’s city of Timbuktu highly literate?

He turned the city into a great city of learning, relying on Islamic teachings and religion to educate the peoples.

What was foundational to Africa’s economy?

The trading of gold

What did Musa build to establish higher learning?

A university

What did a Spanish visitor, of the 16th century, remark in regards to Timbuktu?

He stated that “…there are numerous judges and learned men…many handwritten books are sold here…more profit to be had from this book trade than any other branch of commerce,”

What did Ibn Batuta remark about Timbuktu?

He stated that, “…The Negroes, are those who most abhor injustice, there is complete and general safety throughout the land,”

What did gold symbolize?

It served as a status symbol for many of the leaders, in the past and in the present

How was gold used as a statement of hierarchy?

It was used as jewelry and many more wore it with great pride