Unit 4

Unit 4 Although European and African contact has occured over 1450 to 1750 this was mainly for trading purposes however, the main focus on trade transitioned from traditional trade items to slaves.

Period: Jan 1, 1450 to Dec 31, 1750

Although European and African contact has occured over 1450 to 1750 this was mainly for trading purposes however, the main focus on trade transitioned from traditional trade items to slaves.

1460 New demand for slaves

Feb 10, 1460

After the first caputre of slaves in 1441 it lead to more arrivals yearning more slaves to work their lands, instead of other products like pepper. More than 500 salves per year arrived at Portugal. This was a continuity with first capture of slaves as slavery becomes more popular due to this.

Ships reached Cape of good hope and establishment of factories.

Feb 10, 1487

Factories have been formed to penetrate into African trade. This would be the start of Europeans getting a foothold in Africa. This is a continuity still with Europeans wanting to trade for slaves among other things.

Benein limited slave trade

Feb 10, 1516

The kingdom of Benin was one of a few who opposed slavery, and even limited this. Most trade with Europeans were with pepper, textiles , and ivory rather than slaves. This is a little change in the big story of slavery.

Afonso letters

Feb 10, 1526

Nzinga Mvemba wanted to Europeanize the kingdom, however he did try to end the slavery there and limit the portugese activities. This is in continuity with the previous event showing a resistance towards slavery.

Fall of Songhay

Feb 10, 1591

The fall of Songhay led to wars in central Africa, and the captives of these wars as a side affect promoted slavery. This served as a change that would lead Africa back to slavery.

Dutch size El Mina a major factory

Feb 10, 1637

This was Europeans wanting to trade in Africa for slaves. The Dutch conquereed this place because they wanted a part of Portugese share in the slave trade. This showed continutity for the slave trade is continuing to spiral out of control

Rise of Asante

Feb 10, 1650

Asante was a kingdom that rose in the area called the golden coast.They produced goldand kola nuts, but Asante mainly traded with Europeans with slaves and they were given back guns. Even though gold was a big export, slaves made up 2/3 of asante trade. This shows the continuity of how much demand for these slaves are , and how much the Europeans are taking.

Dutch East India Company colony at Cape of Good Hope

Feb 10, 1652

This colony served as a post for ships going to Asia. This colony was maintained by slaves from Indonesia, but eventually enslaved local Africans. This showed continutity in fact that so many people are being enslaved by this.

Royal African Company

Feb 10, 1660

The Royal African Company mainly pinpointed at finding a source of slaves, than any other good. The Royal African Company would get slaves, but it would often be very diesease filled. This event is a continutity in a story for getting slaves.

Dahomey captures port town of Whydah

Feb 10, 1727

Dahomey is a kingdom that captured the port town of Whydah. This kingdom turns into a major slaving state. The capture of this port town allows them to trade slaves easier. More than 1.8 milion slaves were exporteted from here. This was even more continutity in the sense that people wanted slaves.