1. European Exploration: Africa
Notebook #4
Compare the differing ways that European nations developed political and economic influences, including trade and settlement patterns on the continent of Africa

2. A. African Societies
many African kingdoms thought European arrivals would mean more trade, wealth, & power
kingdoms: Kanem-Bornu, Benin, Oyo, Dahomey, Ashanti, & Kongo
kingdoms had different
languages, customs, &
religious beliefs
they shared an economy
that was based on trade
—barter economy

3. B. Europeans in Africa
Portuguese were 1st to establish settlements (Africans allowed them to set up trading posts along the coast)
the kingdoms were supposed to get part of trade profits & protection from their enemies
at first, trade involved spices, gold, & ivory, but the need for slaves was growing (plantations)

4. C. Slave Trade slavery had existed in other cultures:
Egypt, Greece, Rome, & Persia
slaves were usually treated fairly & might become free
European slave trade was very different:
slaves were thought of as property
no chance for freedom
children of slaves were born as slaves

5. slave trade became profitable
slave raids were conducted by African slave traders
rival tribes would hunt each other (used guns they had traded to get)
slave trade was called the triangular trade—exchange of goods for slaves in Africa, slaves for plantation goods in America, then the goods were taken back to Europe

6. Middle Passage—part of the triangular trade where slaves were sent to the Americas
20 to 50% of slaves died en route to the Americas
ship conditions were horrible (disease/abuse)
survivors were auctioned in Americas

7. D. Effects of Slave Trade
lasted for 300 years
1807 banned by British govt.
King Alfonso I (Christian leader of Kongo) urged the Pope to stop the slave trade
10 million slaves taken to the Americas
devastated Africa
kingdoms disliked each other & fought often
racism spread (feeling of being better than others because of skin color)