The Rise of Capitalism and Slavery Reading: Spodek pps (reread), ,

Maps of Africa

Africa Much of Africa was very wealthy and prosperous before EuropeansMuch of Africa was very wealthy and prosperous before Europeans Africans early learned Metalworking and the crafting of gold.Africans early learned Metalworking and the crafting of gold. Architecture of Africa was very impressive in some spotsArchitecture of Africa was very impressive in some spots

Time Line of Africa 6020 BCE Africans living in what is now the Congo used marks on bones to develop numeration system.6020 BCE Africans living in what is now the Congo used marks on bones to develop numeration system. 300 BCE Africans in Kenya develop a complex calendar system based on astronomical reckoning.300 BCE Africans in Kenya develop a complex calendar system based on astronomical reckoning CE. The Dogon of the Mali Kingdom plot the orbits of various universes and star systems including Sirius B.1290 CE. The Dogon of the Mali Kingdom plot the orbits of various universes and star systems including Sirius B.

Major Kingdoms in West Africa Old Kingdom of GhanaOld Kingdom of Ghana MaliMali –According to tradition founded by Sundiata –Reached height under Mansa Musa (ca ) “Lord of the blacks of Guinea”“Lord of the blacks of Guinea” Maybe wealthiest man in worldMaybe wealthiest man in world Established centers of learningEstablished centers of learning Traveller Ibn Battuta impressed by stability and courtTraveller Ibn Battuta impressed by stability and court Possibility of Atlantic voyagesPossibility of Atlantic voyages

Songhay Empire Gradually Succeeded Mali –Never controlled as much trade as Mali –Muhammad Touray Askia – used Islam to gain power in late 15 th century– Songhay becomes Muslim state Prior to Askia’s rise, most of West Africa polytheistic— believed there were divine spirits in everything – could be mediated with rituals and sacrifices –Expanded cultivation and canals –Contributed to terraced rice cultivation

Empire of Benin 1486 – Portuguese visit obas (rulers of Empire of Benin)1486 – Portuguese visit obas (rulers of Empire of Benin) –Obas believed to be channel through which spirits worked in world –Controlled trade and production –Portuguese Negotiated with Ozolua the Conqueror, who ruled from

Portuguese Relations with Benin  Benin believed obas descended from Olokun, god of the sea Gave Portuguese a special status because they came from the Atlantic  Ozolua wanted to trade for guns and manillas (brass bracelets) Portuguese reluctant to trade guns unless population converted to Christianity  Imported bracelets from Germany and Flanders to trade with Ozolua  When missionaries converted Ozolua’s heir, the guns arrived and the Portuguese helped Benin fight against neighboring Oyo  Temporarily powerful enough to restrict slave trade, but eventually forced to reopen it to compete with rivals, who also began to trade for guns

Slavery in West Africa West Africans used slaves before the PortugueseWest Africans used slaves before the Portuguese –Number of slaves = wealth and status Slaves taken as prisoners of warSlaves taken as prisoners of war People gave others slaves to pay off debtsPeople gave others slaves to pay off debts Those caught committing crimes given to crime victimsThose caught committing crimes given to crime victims Worked in hardest labor as field handsWorked in hardest labor as field hands –Slaves added to lineage Most lost slave status after a number of years or because bought freedom – not a permanent statusMost lost slave status after a number of years or because bought freedom – not a permanent status

Portuguese as Slave Traders 1400s African Kings allowed Portuguese to set up trading posts—”factories”—along the coast1400s African Kings allowed Portuguese to set up trading posts—”factories”—along the coast Before 1450 – slaves so available, Portuguese began sending small numbers of slaves to PortugalBefore 1450 – slaves so available, Portuguese began sending small numbers of slaves to Portugal 1460 – sending 500 slaves a year to Portugal1460 – sending 500 slaves a year to Portugal 1472 – Portuguese discovered then converted Sao Tomé into sugar plantations1472 – Portuguese discovered then converted Sao Tomé into sugar plantations 1500 – sending 1000 slaves a year to Portugal, others to work on sugar plantations in Azores and Spanish territories1500 – sending 1000 slaves a year to Portugal, others to work on sugar plantations in Azores and Spanish territories 1501 – Began sending slaves to Americas – totally changed nature of slavery – becomes almost permanent condition1501 – Began sending slaves to Americas – totally changed nature of slavery – becomes almost permanent condition

Central African Kingdoms Kongo, Ndongo, Luba and Lunda

King Afonso and Kingdom of Kongo Manikongo ruled kingdom as semi-divine spokesman of the godsManikongo ruled kingdom as semi-divine spokesman of the gods Nkuwu/Nzinga was baptised King João INkuwu/Nzinga was baptised King João I –Constructed Church with Portuguese workers and architects –Urged Conversions to Christianity –Invited Portuguese assistance to build up army –Much exchange with Portugal –Had reverted to African beliefs at death in 1509

King Afonso I  C. 1509, In struggle for power, Nzinga Mbemba converted and became King Afonso I – supposedly defeated rival when massive number of soldiers had a vision of Santiago (Saint James)  Began using Portuguese language in court  Used Portuguese mercenaries in expansion of empire  Wealthy Kongolese went to Portugal for education  One Kongolese became an Archbishop  Controlled slave trade and owned thousands of slaves himself  But trade in slaves overwhelmed him, as much of kingdom devoted all energies to capturing slaves to supply Portuguese – eventually led to civil wars and decline but not until end of 17 th century

Queen Nzinga Ndongo was ruled by Queen Nzinga from Sometime in 1640s, announced she would become a man –Wanted her subjects to call her king –Had multiple husbands she required to dress as women and live as concubines At first converted to Christianity to get Portuguese help, then renounced both the faith and the Portuguese, then returned to both An effective military leader who consolidated power Ruthless and calculating, probably used Portuguese more than they used her Succeeded by sister Barbara Women continued to rule Ndongo for 75 of 100 years after Nzinga’s death

Mutapa Empire – East Africa Mutapa Empire controlled gold fields of Great ZimbabweMutapa Empire controlled gold fields of Great Zimbabwe Mwene Mutapa facing external and internal threats, calls on the PortugueseMwene Mutapa facing external and internal threats, calls on the Portuguese –Offered them rights to trade, mines, the right to build churches By 1607, the Portuguese controlled all the gold, copper, and iron of the empire as well as all tradeBy 1607, the Portuguese controlled all the gold, copper, and iron of the empire as well as all trade With Portuguese encouragement, Muslims persecutedWith Portuguese encouragement, Muslims persecuted

Most slaves in the Americas were men. Why? Theory 1: Europeans only think men good for labor.Theory 1: Europeans only think men good for labor. Theory 2: Africans want to keep women for labor Coastal Chiefs in West Africa begin to trade slaves for guns.Theory 2: Africans want to keep women for labor Coastal Chiefs in West Africa begin to trade slaves for guns.

Triangle Trade and Rise of Capitalism Portuguese central to slave trade before Spanish With Portuguese weakness, Spain monopolizes slave trade—the Asiento 1714 – End of War of Spanish Succession, England wins Asiento Question: How important is slave trade to rise of European countries, especially England?

Impact of Slavery Impact in West Africa:Impact in West Africa: –More men than women— polygamy –Interior chiefs decline in power –Coastal Chiefs thrive, often with Portuguese help Portuguese provide gunsPortuguese provide guns Portuguese train soldiersPortuguese train soldiers Active trade with PortugalActive trade with Portugal Influence of Christianity extensiveInfluence of Christianity extensive –Economies begin long decline Impact in East Africa: –Chinese wanted slaves for prostitution Most slaves were women –Portuguese wreck, destroy, kill enemies/rivals –Invited into Mutapa Empire and get control of gold and slaves –Much political instability, economic disorder