Africa and the Atlantic World Chapter 25 Africa and the Atlantic World

African states, 1500-1650

Gold-Salt Trade Berbers SALT GOLD

The States of West Africa Songhay Empire, 15th century Ruler Sunni Ali conquers neighbors, 1464 Governors ruled provinces Imperial navy on Niger River Muslim – built schools Defeated by Moroccan army with muskets, 1591 Ashanti Empire

Swahili Decline in East Africa Portuguese Vasco da Gama skirmishes with Africans on eastern coast, 1497-1498 1502 returns, forces Kilwa to pay tribute 1505 Portuguese gun ships dominate Swahili ports

Swahili-Speaking Areas of E. Africa SWAHILI [“the coast’] = Bantu + some Arabic

The Kingdom of Kongo Relations with Portuguese beginning 1483 King Nzinga Mbemba (Alfonso I, r. 1506-1542) converts to Christianity, which endorsed their rule Useful connection with Portuguese interests But zealous convert, attempts to convert population at large

Slave Raiding in Kongo Initial Portuguese attempts at slave raiding Soon discovered it is easier to trade weapons for slaves provided by African traders Dealt with several authorities besides Kongo Kongo kings appeal without success to slow slave trade Relations deteriorate, Portuguese attack Kongo and decapitate king in 1665

African Captives in Yokes

Slave Trade in the Congo

Angola

The Kingdom of Ndongo (Angola) Ndongo gains wealth and independence from Kongo by means of Portuguese slave trade But Portuguese influence resisted by Queen Nzinga (r. 1623-1663) Posed as male King, with male concubines in female dress attending her

Regional Kingdoms in South Africa 1300: Great Zimbabwe Dutch build Cape Town in 1652, increased involvement with southern African politics Resources will attract British interests as well

“Zimbabwe” = “stone enclosure” Great Zimbabwe [1200-1450] “Zimbabwe” = “stone enclosure”

Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa Islam develops in commercial centers Timbuktu becomes major center of Islamic scholarship by 16th century African traditions and beliefs blended into Islam Gender relations, standards of female modesty Fulani Islam

Mosque in Gao

Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa Like African Islam, syncretic with African beliefs Antonian Movement, Founded by Doña Beatriz (13th century Franciscan preacher, patron saint of Portugal) Promotes distinctly African Christianity Jesus a black man, Kongo the holy land, heaven for Africans

Social Change in Early Modern Africa Trade with Europeans brings new goods to Africa New crops from Americas Increased food supply boosts population growth despite slave trade

Foundations of the Slave Trade African slavery dates to antiquity War captives, criminals, people expelled from clans Distinct from Asian, European slavery No private property, therefore wealth defined by human labor potential, not land Slaves often assimilated into owner’s clan

The Islamic Slave Trade Dramatic expansion of slave trade with Arab traders New slaves acquired by raiding villages, selling on Swahili coast Arab traders depend on African infrastructure to maintain supply European demand on west coast causes demand to rise again

Arab Slave Traders

The Early Slave Trade Portuguese raid West African coast in 1441, take 12 men African dealers ready to provide slaves 1460: 500 slaves per year 1520: 2,000 per year

The Triangular Trade 1. European manufactured goods (especially firearms) sent to Africa 2. African slaves purchased and sent to Americas 3. Cash crops purchased in Americas and returned to Europe

The Triangle Trade

The Middle Passage (Africa-Americas) Middle passage under horrific conditions 4-6 weeks Mortality initially high, often over 50%, eventually declined to 5% Total slave traffic, 15th-18th c.: 12 million Approximately 4 million die before arrival

Onboard the Slave Ship

Notice of a Slave Auction

Slave Auction in the Southern U. S.

Inspection and Sale

Slave Master Brands

Whipped Slave, early 19c

African Slave Export per Year

Social Effects of Slave Trade Millions of captured Africans removed from society, deplete regional populations How does African population increase? Distorted sex ratios result 2/3 of slaves male, 14-35 years of age Encouraged polygamy, women acting in traditionally male roles

Political Effects of Slave Trade Introduction of firearms increases violence of pre- existing conflicts More weapons, more slaves; more slaves, more weapons Slave armies - Dahomey

Destinations of African Slaves

Regional Differences Caribbean, South America: African population unable to maintain numbers Brutal working conditions, sanitation, nutrition Gender imbalance North America: less disease, more normal sex ratio Slave families encouraged as prices rise in 18th century

Resistance to Slavery Half-hearted work effort Sabotage Flight (Maroon populations - were runaway slaves who formed independent settlements together) Revolts

Slave Revolts Only one successful revolt French-controlled St.-Domingue (1793) Renamed Haiti Elsewhere, revolts outgunned by Euro-American firepower

African Diaspora

African-American Culture Diversity of African cultures concentrated in slave population Blend of cultures African languages when numbers permit, otherwise European language adapted with African influences Creole languages Christianity adapted to incorporate African traditions Examples of African culture in the Americas?

The Abolition of Slavery Economic costs of slavery increase Military expenses to prevent rebellions 18th century: price of sugar falls, price of slaves rises Wage labor becomes more efficient Wage-earners can spend income on manufactured goods

“Black Gold” for Sale!