Portuguese traded for: ivory, pepper, animal skins and gold Trade= basis for contact between Africans and Portuguese Catholic missionaries went to Benin, Kongo, and other places Kongo= king Nzinga Muemba converts his entire kingdom Enslavement of his subjects  limits on Portuguese

How they saw each other Africans viewed Portuguese as strange but incorporated them into their world Portuguese saw Africans as savages who could be civilized and converted

European Colonies in Africa Colonies very small, but with lots of missionary work By 17th century, Dutch, French, English and others begin to get involved By 1600, slave trade dominates all commerce

Statistics Between 1450 and 1750, 12 million Africans transported across Atlantic 10-20% mortality rates 10-11 million survived Rate of transport increases over time 80% transported between 1700s and 1800s High volume necessary due to high mortality and low fertility

Slave trade with Muslim world continues Rates of trade reflect changing economic and political situation in the New World Slave trade with Muslim world continues 3 million transported between 1450 and 1750 Wars increase in Africa as both cause and effect of slave trade

Demographics Trade with Muslim world tended to focus on women Atlantic slave trade tended to focus on men African population reduced by half of what it would have been without slave trade by 1750

Organization Portuguese controlled up until 1630 Dutch seized control of El Mina in 1637, became major competitors 1660 English charter Royal African Company to engage in slave trade 18th century, France becomes a major trader

Both Africans and Europeans involved in slave trade Not any more profitable than any other trade of its time Part of Triangular trade Drew African economy into world economy Resulted in African economies becoming dependent on trade with Europe

Part II: African Societies, Slavery, and the Slave Trade Slavery had existed in Africa prior to the Atlantic Slave Trade Usually focused on enslavement of women Islamic forms of slavery also introduced Existence of slavery helped Europeans mobilize commerce of slaves by tapping into existing routes

Slaving and African Politics Most states in western and central Africa were small and unstable Increasing frequency of wars led to increasing need for improved weaponry Power shifted due to European coastal presence Inland kingdoms gained power by gaining guns and working as intermediaries to the Europeans in the slave trade

Asante Gained access to firearms in 1650 and began expanding Became the dominant power on the gold coast up until 1820

Dahomey Emerged as a power in the 1720 Used access to firearms to form an autocratic state Primary economic activity relied on the slave trade Growth of absolute rulers paralleled the rise of absolutism in Europe Like in Europe, attempts were made to limit royal authority

East Africa and Sudan Swahili towns continue commerce in gold, ivory, and slaves with Middle Eastern markets Bantu speaking people dominated the region 18th century saw Islamization

By the 1840, new political units were created Attempts were made to stamp out paganism and illiteracy Large numbers of captives from the religious wars were shipped down the coast to Europeans By the 19th century slaves made up to 50% op the population of this region

Part III: White Settlers and Africans in South Africa

South Africa By 16th Century, Bantu-speakers occupy southern East Africa Chiefdoms varied in size and power Expansion  Competition and conflict

1652- Dutch East India Company establishes the Cape Colony Dutch enslave local Africans 1760s Dutch cross Orange River Dutch gov’t attempts to limit settlement and slavery, but fails Boers move north, “Great Trek” to avoid gov’t regulations

Mfecane and Zulu Rise to Power 1818 rule of Nguni people passes to Shaka Shaka builds new military and political organization (Zulu) Zulu begin Mfecane in 1840s Fighting between Boers and Zulu 1870 Britain crushes Zulu and end Zulu Wars, the assert control over South Africa

Part IV: African Diaspora

Slave trade links Africa to World Economy Slavery is grueling and deadly Middle Passage: passage to Americas Slaves worked in Plantations and Mines Hierarchy created by Slave owners to prevent uprisings People lose local African identity Create new family units Growth of communities of runaway slaves