AFRICA 1600- 1750Economic, Political & Social Changes

Central Question

How did slavery influence Africa?

Africa

ECOMONIC CHANGES

Economy Silver & sugar Participated in world economy through

slave trade Slave trade traced back to 15th century,

rose in 17th and 18th centuries Grafted onto existing system of slave

commerce 2 Africans for every 1 European

essential to prosperity of American colonies

Economy Merchants shipped slaves around Indian

Ocean More slaves sent to Americas once

plantation agriculture began to spread W. flow=12 million survived forcible

enslavement/ shipment to Atlantic ports 1440s-1867

Merchant capitalists prospered slave trade rose

Economy Commercial fortune depended on

alliances with African trading & Political networks

African partners/ commercial networks left to capture slaves

High morality = losses of profits Merchants-active role in supplying slaves

for transatlantic shipment Shift=Households that commanded large

animal herds or land urban merchants and warrior elites

Africa

SOCIAL CHANGES

Religion Asante (Ashanti)

Universal god – Onyame Kingdom of the Dead –

Samande Ancestor Worship

Benin Polytheistic Power of witches Mostly Christian About ¼ Islam; Vudun or “voodoo”

Language Misconception: there was no written

language until recently Asante

Decedents of Akan Tribes Various forms of Twi; tone language

Benin Learned written and spoken language from the

Portuguese Native Language Kwa

Dress&Customs Women Influence Ashanti

Weaving (only men) Different patterns Matrilineal Gold

Benin Bronze art Funerals = Important part of someone’s history Drummers and dancers perform at funerals

Africa

POLITICAL CHANGES

Political Dutch armada of

21 ships Captured Luanda,

Benguela, and Sao Tome from Portuguese

1623, Portuguese signed a treaty with Ndongo

Political 1624, Nzinga became Queen of Ndongo Conquered kingdom of Matamba in war

with Portuguese Made alliance with Dutch Dutch sent her soldiers

Queen Nzinga

Political Portuguese gained strength back Portuguese drove Dutch out of Luanda in

1648 Dutch no longer helped Nzinga could fight Portuguese anymore Signed treaty giving Portuguese access

to Matamba’s markets

Video: Verbalizm: David J

Primary SourceThose sold by the Blacks are for the most part prisoners

of war, taken either in fight, or pursuit, or in the incursions they make into their enemies territories; others stolen away by their own countrymen; and some there are, who will sell their own children,

kindred, or neighbors. This has been often seen, and to compass it, they desire the person they intend to

sell, to help them in carrying something to the factory by way of trade, and when there, the person so

deluded, not understanding the language, is old and deliver'd up as a slave, notwithstanding all his

resistance, and exclaiming against the treachery....

Written by John Barbot (an agent for the French Royal African Company) in 1678

Questions 1. Based on this passage what do you

think about the family bonds in Africa?

2. Do you think anybody make alliances with the Dutch after they let Queen Nzinga down?

3. How do you think the shift of wealth to urban merchants and warrior elites effected the rest of society?

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