1. Slaving and African Politics

2. As one French agent put it “The trade in slaves is the business of kings, rich men, and prime merchants.”
Between , Europe penetrated sub-Saharan Africa – existing states and societies were transformed
For the most part, the states were small and fragmented
This led to a period of constant warfare and competition
Kingdoms like Kongo and Dahomey created a warrior class

3. One result of the presence of Europeans was a shift in power in Africa
Those right on the West coast tried to monopolize the trade with Europeans
Just beyond the coast, it was different
Interior kingdoms also had active trade with the Europeans and began to direct their empires toward the coast … causing rivalry
“the gun and slave cycle” increased firepower allowed these people to overtake others

4. Then they produced more slaves for more guns
The result was unending warfare and the disruption of interior societies
One area on the Gold Coast with power was Asanti or Ashanti
Their leader – Osei Tutu
Maintained power until the 1820’s
Slaves made up 2/3 of all their trade
Benin also had a slave trade, but it was never its primary source of revenue

5. Dahomey had a different response
By the 1720’s they got guns and headed for the coast
As it expanded, it eliminated royal families and the customs of the area
Well into the 19th century it was still a slave trading empire
More than 1.8 million slaves were exported from their ports between

6. East Africa
On the east, the Swahili cities continued the Indian ocean trade
Less is known about the interior of Africa
Across the continent however, Isalmization took place
A violent period of expansion occurred
Began in the 1770’s – advocated Sufi Islam
In 1804, a Muslim scholar preached jihad against non-believers – a great upheaval followed
The result was the creation of powerful Muslim states in Africa