Chapter 16 Section 4 – Turbulent Centuries in Africa

Section 4 – Turbulent Centuries in Africa Setting the Scene: Enslaved Africans formed part of an international trade network that arose during the first global age. Encounters between Europeans and Africans had been taking place since the 1400s. Africa was home to diverse societies, and Islam had become an important force in some parts of the continent. As Europeans arrived, they would bring their own influences to Africa.

In the 1400s, Portuguese ships explored the coast of Africa, looking for a sea route to India

They built forts along the African coast for trade, re-supply, and repair Fort Anthony (Axim): Portuguese trading post, Destroyed by the towns people in Second fort built by the Portuguese on present site in 1515

Later, the Dutch, English, and French established forts and traded for gold, ivory, hides, and slaves

Slavery has existed in Africa and around the world since ancient times Babylonian Marriage Market Greek Slaves Egyptian Slaves

In the 1500s, Europeans began to view slaves as the most important item of African trade The king of Portugal sent ambassadors to negotiate government-to- government commercial treaties with African countries like the Kongo, as shown in this image

The Atlantic slave trade began in the 1500s to fill Spain's need for labor Black Slaves Working on the Sugar Plantation

African traders seized captives in the interior and brought them to coastal trading posts Slave Coffle* From Susanne Everett The Slaves *A group of animals, prisoners, or slaves chained together in a line

Demand for slaves in the Americas and luxury goods in Africa increased the slave trade

Atlantic slave trade formed one part of a three-legged network known as triangular trade

On the first leg, merchant ships brought goods to Africa to be traded for slaves Gate of No Return Cape Coast Castle, Ghana

On the second leg slaves were sent to the West Indies and exchanged for sugar, molasses, and other products

On the final leg, these products were shipped to Europe or colonies in the Americas

For enslaved Africans, the Middle Passage was a horror This plan of a slave ship shows how 482 slaves could be packed on board for the 5 to 10 week voyage to the West Indies. The Brookes actually carried 609 slaves on one voyage.

Hundreds of men, women, and children were packed below the decks of slave ships Packed into slave ships, captives were called piezas de Indias: Indies pieces. This was supposed to mean that they met a standard size, being large enough to work hard. If an individual was not tall enough, the space could be "pieced out" by adding a child.

Slave ships became "floating coffins" - up to 50% died from disease or brutal mistreatment Africans being forced to 'dance‘ for exercise Punishment Aboard a Slave Ship, 1792

Some Africans resisted, others committed suicide by leaping overboard Africans taking control of La Amistad

Some African leaders, such as Affonso I of Kongo, tried to stop the slave trade, but the system was too strong and profitable AD, King of the Kongo became the first ruler to resist the slave trade

The almamy of Futa Toro outlawed the transport of slaves through Futa Toro Almamy - from the Arabic al- imam, an Islamic religious leader

His victory was short-lived because the slave traders simply worked out a new route to the coast