Study Notes on West and West-Central Africa: 1500-1880

Early Relations: Religion, Trade, and Politics

  • Economic and Political Gain: Both Africans and Europeans aimed for economic and political advantages through their interactions.

  • Portuguese Cultural Agenda: The Portuguese sought to expand Christianity alongside trade pursuits.

  • Quest for a Sea Route:

    • Motivated by the need to bypass Muslim states and to access African gold and Asian spices.

    • Sought the mythical kingdom of Prester John, a presumed ally in the crusade against Muslims.

The Kongo Kingdom and Christianity

  • Diogo Cao Expedition (1484):

    • Left Franciscan monks in Kongo and took Kongo nobles to Portugal for theological education.

    • Kongo ruler Manikongo Nzinga (Nkuwu) showed interest in converting to Christianity possibly for political gain.

  • Portuguese Engagement (1491):

    • Sent craftsmen to build churches in Kongo after Nzinga's request to spread Christianity.

    • Possible motivations for Nzinga:

    • Gaining favor with the Portuguese

    • Strengthening trade relations

    • Seeking military aid against internal rebellions.

  • Civil War Post-Christianization: After Nzinga's conversion (taking the name King Joao), a civil war erupted between factions favoring and opposing Portuguese influence.

  • Afonso's Efforts: Nzinga's successor, Afonso, continued to solidify ties with Portugal, sending his son to Lisbon to study and return as Africa's first Catholic bishop.

Conversion Efforts and Trade Dynamics

  • Limited Success of Conversion: Overall, the Portuguese struggled to convert many African societies, with notable exceptions like Kongo.

  • Trade Dynamics: Initially, the Portuguese had limited appealing goods for African markets:

    • European wool textiles were unattractive compared to local fabrics.

    • Iron and copper often inferior to local production.

  • Shifts in Trade: By the late 18th century, demand for European iron and trade goods increased, why?

    • The answer is linked to the burgeoning Atlantic slave trade.

    • Portuguese became major players in transporting slaves and goods between African communities.

Gold Coast and Slave Trade

  • Importance of Gold Trade:

    • The establishment of the "El Mina" trading post in 1482 symbolized the shift in trade routes.

    • Gold produced in forest regions became more accessible and valuable due to new trade dynamics.

  • Harsh Competition: Local traders faced increasing competition from Europeans, altering traditional trade relationships.

Afro-European Relations

  • Emergence of Afro-Europeans: Mixed families formed as Portuguese troops settled in Kongo, marrying local women and becoming significant traders.

  • Agricultural Shifts: The slave trade provided labor for agriculture, aided by the introduction of New World crops such as manioc and maize.

    • Manioc Thrives:

    • Flexible crop & calorie-dense, revolutionized food production despite requires labor for preparation.

    • Maize:

    • Quick-growing and efficient crop, contributing to increased food output.

Transition to Slave Trade

  • Changing Trade Nature:

    • By the 17th century, European focus shifted dramatically from diversifying goods to engaging primarily in the slave trade.

    • Up to 10,000 Africans transported annually in the 1600s, growing to over 100,000 by the early 1800s.

  • Contentious Role of African States: The role of African states in the slave trade is debated:

    • Some view Africans as victims, others perceive willing participation; a complex mix exists reflecting varying motivations and contexts.