AFRICAN AND THE EXTERNAL WORLD
What is trade?
Trade: is the system selling and buying (exchanging) goods and services in the market or at any place. Normally historically African societies had developed trading contact with peple from the out side world even before the birth of christ since the early of 200BC. These include trade contact between Africa with Middle East and Far East dated back since the early of 7th Century AD. These early contacts were determined by nature of African and Asian societies. The early contacts were initially at the coast but later some of the foreigners moved further into interiors of Africa.
CATEGORIES OF TRADING CONTACT BETWEEN AFRICA AND THE EXTERNAL WORLDS
The early foreigners/visitors of Africa continent were categorized in to three groups such as follows:-
i. The contacts between Africa and Asians (These were commercial Contact between African and Middle East and Far East by 7th- 15th Century.
ii. The contact between Africa and Europe in 15-17th Century.
iii. The trade contact between African societies and the Oman Arabs in 17-19th Century.
1. THE EARLY CONTACT BETWEEN AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST AND FAR ESAT (7th C-15th C.)
The contact between African societies and people from middle and far east: These were the commercial contact between African societies and the Asians countries. This comemercial contact was dated in 7th- 15th Century. These commercial contacts were generally known as Early contacts. However the early contacts between African and Middle East and Far East it was reached its peak by the end of 15th Centaury due to Portuguese invasion especially. It involved African societies and people from Asia such as Lebanese, Syrians, Indonesians, Persians, Arabs and China, Iraq, Philippines, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Normally the contact between Africa, middle east and far east started since the first millenium.
THE GREEK-ROMAN TRADE GUIDE BOOKS
Normally the early contacts between east Africa society and society from middle east and far east have been recorded in some early Greek and Roman documents. There are three Greco-Roman documents recorded on these documents these are:-
i. The Periplus of the Erythrean Saa: This was a Greek-Roman guide book which shows the organization of Indian ocean trade. It was written by Greek commercial agent in the first century.
ii. Ptolemy's Geography: This was the second Greek-Roman guide book written from the second century to the fourth century. (2th C -4th C).
iii. Christian Topography: This was the third Greek-Roman guide book written by the Cosmas Indicopleustes in the 6th Century.
IMPORTANCE OF GRECO-ROMAN DOCUMENTS
The Greco-Roman documents reveal the following informations:-
1. They show the economic activities of the people settled in the coast of east Africa by the first century. The major economic activities of east African people were agriculture, fishing and making du-out canoes or dhows.
2. They reveal the existence of international commercial contacts between eadt African coast and Mediterranean world.
3. They show the interaction of east African coast in to Roman economic system. Normally Roman called the east Afeican coast Azania, which means a series of market towns.
4. They reveal the posibility of emergence of towns along the coasts.
COMMODITIES EXCHANGED BETWEEN AFRICAN, MIDDLED EAST AND FAR EAST
Goods from middle east
i. Arabia Beakers.
ii. Iron.
iii. Pains.
iv. Swords.
v. Daggers.
vi. Beads.
vii. Ornaments.
viii. Rice
Goods taken from Africa
i. Minerals such as Ivory, Gold etc.
ii. Slaves.
iii. Tortoise shells
iv. Rhinoceros horns
v. Animal skins
vi. Copper
vii. Iron
viii. Ostrich feather.
Goods from Far east
i. China Porcelain.
ii. Bowls.
iii. Plates.
iv. Shuck clothes.
v. Persia Ports.
vi. Glass bowls.
vii. Beakers.
viii. Swords.
ix. Ornaments
x. India Cotton cloth
MOTIVES/FACTORS FOR THE EMERGENCE OF CONTACT BETWEEN AFRICAN SOCIETIES AND THE MIDDLE EAST AND FAR EAST
1. Trading purpose: Early visitors come to Africa with the aim of establishing trading settlements along the East African Coast and the horn of Africa. During the 10 th and 11 th centuries several Muslims merchants of Arabs in Origin; began to penetrate the Awash valley towards the high land of Ethiopia.
2. To make east African exploration: The exploration done in Africa was recorded in the early records about the coast, it was recorded by one of the Greek sailor book called Periplus of Eryithrean Sea and Ptolemy’s Geography.The visitors from Middle East and Far East were interested to know the accessibility of the coast and the availability of market in the coastal areas.
3. Searching for essential commodities: They were interested to assess the volume of essential commodities which were in great demands such as gold, slave and animal skins.
4. The need to spread Islamic religion: Some visitors come to spread Islamic religion. The Islamic religion started to spread in western Asia from 7 th century mainly through holy wars known as JIHADS which aimed at spreading the Islamic religion. Therefore Muslims Arabs from middle and Far East visited African coast with the aim of spreading Islamic religion to the African people.
5. Good hospitality of local people: The nature of African societies were very hospitality to visitors, hence the Asians welcomed well by the African indigenous to the extent that Asians were attracted to visit more Africa.
6. Presence of good climatic condition in east Africa: Good climate was attracted more early visitors in Africa to come and establish commercial activities with people of Africa.
CONDITIONS FACILITATED THE EARLY CONTACTS
1. Development of marine technology among the Arab traders: This helped them to navigate in the big sea to East Africa.
2. The use of monsoon winds: These are yhe seasonal blowing winds, hence these winds helped them to push their vessels in both go and back.
3. The use of compass direction: The use of compasses helped traders to reach East Africa coasts easy.
5. Availability of commodities: Presence of diffrent commodities in E. Africa like Ivory, animal skins, tortoise shells attracted more traders from both middle and far east which resulted in to development of this contact.
6. Advancement of defensive weapons: The use of gun powders and other sophiscated weapons helped traders from both middle and far east to trade easy without problem.
7. Accessibility of E. African coasts: Geographically the middle east and far east and East African coasts is almost nearby hence this facilitated the emergence and development of early contacts.
8. Availability of trading centres in East Africa: The trading centres attracted Arab tradera to visitbmore east African coast for trading purpose. Example of trading centres were such as Sofala, Mogadishu, Mombasa, Malindi, Kilwa, Tanga and other coastal cities.
EFFECTS OF COMMERCIAL CONTACTS BETWEEN AFRICAN AND MIDDLE EAST AND FAR EAST
ECONOMIC EFFECTS
1. Accumulation of wealth among the traders: Some African people engaged in trade activities become rich because of accumulation of enough wealth. Normally the trade rich class was emerged among the African societies. In East Africa the class of rich people included chief Kivoi of Kamba and Nganyo of Giriama in Kenya, Mirambo and Nyungu ya mawe of Nyamwezi in Tanzania.
2. It has exposed Africa in to the external world : Africa was integrated in the world economy through supplying commodities which were in great demands by the outside world.
3. Intensive exploitation of Africa resources: The contact involved the exploitation of human resources by taking Africans away as slaves and some commodities such as Ivory, Gold and animals skins were taken away through unequal exchange.
4. Decline of local industries: The contacts resulted in to the decline of African local infustries due to importation new goods from the Asian countries and changing the behaviour of African from buying local commodities to buy foreign commodities such as cotton clothes and food utensils, hence decline of local industries.
5. Introduction of new crops: The contact resulted in to emergence of new crops Africa which later become very useful to Africans because they provided food stuffs as well as cash crops such crops were like coconut, palms, rice, millet, wheat, cloves and sugarcane.
6. It has led to the introduction of money economy: In East Africa coastal cities coins were minted and used as the medium of exchange therefore the use of currency replaced barter trade system.
7. Introduction of new arts and crafts: By 15th century various items were produced in Africa and village communities were transforming from simple to complex societies. Many towns developed due to arts and crafts; the art of writing navigation and money handling was also introduced.
SOCIAL EFFECTS
1. It led to depopulation: slave trade in Africa decreased the manpower because traders captured the able bodied people who were essential for production; the aged, weak and children were left behind while they could not manage to produce at large quantity.
2. Growth of Kiswahili language in east Africa: The contact between Africa and middle and far east resulted in to the emergence and growth of Swahili language in East Africa due to the introduction of new vocabularies like Adhabu, Elimu, Salami just to mention some few.
3. It contributed to growth of towns and cites: The contacts has stimulated the expansion of coastal cities due to population increase especially those places which become trading centres. Example Lamu, Pate, Mombasa, Bagamoyo, Tanga, Mogadishu, pemba, unguja and Pangani.
4. Spread of Islamic religion: The contact has contributed to the spread and expansion of Islamic religion along the coastal areas.
5. Cultural interfrence: The contact between Africa and middle east and far east has destroyed the indigenous culture due to introduction of new goods, achtecture, religion, arabic language and mullatos due to intermarriage.
6. Emergence of slave trade: The contact resulted in to emergence of slave trade where many African were suffered.
7. It has led to separation of families: The contact has led to separation of African families due slave trade and insecurity.
2. THE CONTACT BETWEEN AFRICA AND EUROPE 15-17TH CENTURY
This was the Portuguese era in Africa. The trading between Africa and Asia was disturbed by Portuguese invasion along the East African coast in the 15th Century. The Portuguese attempted to capture and control Indian Ocean trade, this lead to war between the Portuguese and the indigenous of East African coast. During this contact the most important countries in western were Spain and Portugal. These countries were included in trade through trading routes to India which passed off through Italy and the Muslims lands of the Middle East particularly Turkey.
The occurrence of wars in Muslims empire made the trade difficult and more expensive. The Portuguese by finding routes of the sea wanted to establish trading empire in the East Africa by controlling all trades in Europe.
This was made possible by the invention of ships. Prince Henry the navigator son of King John of Portuguese supported the voyages. They searched routes as resulted into voyages by Bartholomew Diaz in 1487 as the first Portuguese Explore to visit the coast of Africa. Vasco da Gama was the first second Portuguese to reach East Africa in 1498. Bartholomew Diaz reached the cape of good hope in south Africa in 1487.
Why Portuguese search for sea route to India via to Africa?
Answer:
i. Presence of political conflict in the middle east under the Ottoman Empire.
ii. Presence of religious war in the middle east (Muslim agaist non muslims) jihad wars.
iii. High taxes imposed by Ottoman Empire in Turkey
How the Asian goods reached Europe before the Portuguese discovered the sea route to India via to Africa?
Answer:
The Asian goods reached Europe through the middle east particulary Turkey.
GOODS THAT WERE EXCHANGED
Goods from Africa
Portuguese obtained items such as:-
i. Ivory.
ii. Gold.
iii. Copper.
iv. Silver.
v. slaves.
vi. Tortoises shells.
vii. Animal skins.
viii. Bee wax.
ix. Ostrich feathers
Goods from Europe
Goods European were:-
i. Cloth
ii. Guguns.
iii. Looking mirror.
iv. Wines
ECONOMIC MOTIVES/ AIMS FOR PORTUGUESE INVATION IN EAST AFRICA
1. Searching for markets: The portuguese aimed at searching for cheapes markets for selling their commoditiea produced in Europe. Therefore they wanted to defeat the Asian trades and rules in their monopoly of the India trade. usually European countries admired the commodities founded in Africa so in order to get them they had to contact with African people.
2. Searching for raw materials: The Portuguese needed varieties of raw materials which were Ivory, tortoise’s shells, cotton, gold and palms.
3. To exploit African resources: Especially natural resource like mineral agricultual commodities and slaves in East African coastal cities and states Example: Kilwa, Mombasa, Bagamoyo and Mogadishu.
4. Searching for sea route to Asia: The Portuguese aimed aimed at searching for sea route to India due to the existence of political instability in the middle east it has made Portuguese to find the alternative way to Asia.
5. Searching areas for investment: The Portuguese aimed at searching for potential areas for investment of their surplus production.
SOCIAL MOTIVES
1. To spread Christianity.
2. They desired to establish anti-Muslims alliances.
3. They wanted to meet with Pastor John in Ethiopia.
THE EXPANSION OF PORTUGUESE RULE IN EAST AFRICA
By 15th C Portuguese succeeded to establish their rule in East Africa. After that the Portuguese built the Fort Jesus in Mombasa which could strengthen their military power thus establishing the effective control over the East Africa coastal areas.
1592 was the built of Fort Jesus.
1698 was the broke down of Fort Jesus.
1499 was the year when Vasco da Gama returned back to Portugal.
Other forts built by Portuguese in Africa were:-
i. Fort at Kilwa in 1505.
ii. Sofala (Mozambique) in 1480
iii. The Elimina caste (Ghana) built in 1482.
RESISTANCES AGAINST PORTUGUESE
There were source of resistance:-
1.The displaced people joined the resistance, for example Zimba of Zambezi valley and Segeju of Somalia in the Northern Eastern Africa. The constant attack and resisted against Portuguese rule lead to its decline and capture of Fort Jesus of Mombasa in 1698.
2. The reaction from the feudal lords and traders who counted to protect their social and economic interests.
MPACT PORTUGUESE INTRUSION IN EAST AFRICA
ECONOMIC IMPACTS
1. Introduction of new crops: especially cash crops in Africa e.g. Sugarcane, yellow maize, cassava, rice, pineapples, potatoes etc.
2. Decline of trade: the trade between East Africa, Far East and Middle East was interrupted by the Portuguese.
3. Introduction of slave trade.
4. Exposed Africa to the external world.
5. They built several forts in Africa example Fort Jesus of Mombasa 1592.
6. It has led to intensive exploitation of African resources.
SOCIAL IMPACTS
1. Decline of cities and states.
2. Growth of Swahili language: Swahili adapted some new Portuguese words i.e. Mvinyo from word Vincho, Meza Etc.
3. Insecurity, due to slave trade.
4. Loss of manpower.
5. It led to destruction of African culture.
REASONS FOR THE COLLAPSE OF PORTUGUESE IN EAST AFRICA
1. They suffered from tropical disease like malaria
.
2. The climate conditions of East African coast were in healthy for the Portuguese.
3. Social, culture and religion differences. These include Muslim against Christians.
4. Loss of trade due to Portuguese taxes and restrictions.
5. Harsh treatments and punishment practiced by Portuguese in their leadership.
6. Role played by Oman to the coastal city people. Hence that capture of fort Jesus marked the end of Portuguese in East Africa around 1700.
C. EAST AFRICA UNDER THE OMAN ARABS 1840's
The Oman Arabs helped East Africans to defeat Portuguese along the coastal in 1698. Oman now became rulers. Therefore people of East Africa were not free apart from defeating the Portuguese. By the1741 Mombasa established her independence chief domain (The independence Sheikh Don) under Mazmi family, this was an order from Arabs family of Oman in origin the Mazmi family was conquered by Sultan Seyyid Said of Oman.
From 1840 onwards, Sultan Seyyid Said becomes the master and ruler of the East African coast until the period of colonialism.
REASONS/FACTORS/MOTIVES/AIMS OF OMAN ARABS IN EAST AFRICA.
The following were the factors for sultan Seyyid Said to shift his capital from Muscat Oman to Zanzibar in 1840.
1. Good climatic condition in Zanzibar: There is abundant fresh coastal climate which pported the settlement of Arabs.
2. Presence of good fertile soil: This fertile land supported the establishment of agriculture especially clove and coconut plantations.
3. Presence of deep natural harbour in Zanzibar: This good natural habour supported the importation and exportation of goods.
4. Trading motives: Seyyid Said attracted and bevome much interested to control trade along the east Afeican coast through Indian Ocean trade.
5. Availability of enough fresh water: The cheap supply of fresh water in Zanzibar supported irrigation activities and sailing.
6. To avoid socio-political conflict: Historically Seyyid Said he escaped conflict from his home (Muscat) after killing his brother Imam said due to leadership related issues, hence he come to zanzibar as technique of seaching for refuge.
7. To spread Islamic religion: Seyyid Said and other Oman Arabs become muchvinterested with spreading of Islam and stop the spread of Christianity in east Africa by the Portuguese.
IMPACTS OF OMAN ARABS (SULTAN) NOMINATION IN EAST AFRICA
A: ECONOMIC IMPACTS.
1. Increase of slave trade.
2. Land alienation.
3. East African people were exposed to international trade.
4. The expansion of trade.
5. Introduction of new cash crops example; coconut and cloves.
6. Establishment of feudalism where African become serfs and tenants
7. Exploitation of African resources.
B: SOCIAL IMPACTS
1. Death due to resistance against the Arabs
2. Spread of Swahili language.
3. Addition of Arabic words into Swahili language.
4. Spread of Islamic religion.
5. Much suffering of people due to slavery activities.
THE EMERGENCE OF SLAVE TRADE IN AFRICAN
Slave: Is the person who is illegally owned and controlled by another person and is forced to work for them.
Slavery: Is the act of owning and using slaves.
Slave trade: Is the activity of buying and selling human beings like other commodities.
How slave trade was emerged?
The trade emerged up to its maximum stage after growth or demand of labors in big plantations opened by the capitalist. In the 2 nd half of 18 th century slave trade was boosted by the French demand of labors in the Mauritius and Re-union Islands; these were their colonials in which sugar plantations were established.
A. SLAVE TRADE IN EAST AFRICA
The main results of African contact with external world through trade was the, rise of slave trade and Colonialism. Slave trade in East Africa began after the arrival of Portuguese in 15 th Century up to 1873 during the Sayyid Barghash treaty or free treaty.
STAGES IN DEVELOPMENT OF SLAVE TRADE IN EAST AFRICA
There were three stages in the development of slave trade in Indian ocean sea board.
1. The first stage was dominated by the Portuguese: The portuguese were shipped slave from Mozambique to Brazil in 18 th century.
2. The second stage was dominated by the Dutch from Holland and French: They had opened the coffee and sugar plantations in Mauritius and Re-union especially in 1770.
3. The third was due to the introduction of cloves plantations in Zanzibar: in the early of 19 th century.
REASONS FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE INDIAN OCEAN SLAVE TRADE
1. Existence of oman Arabs in east Africa: The Oman Arabs who were ruling the East African coast at the time introduced clove plantations in Zanzibar and Pemba. These plantations required large numbers of labors to tend to them.
2. Establishment of sugarcane plantations by the French in Mauritius and Reunion: There was also a high demand for slave labor for the French sugar plantations in Mauritius and Reunion Island. Initially, the French mostly depended on the area around present-day Mozambique for slaves, but by the 1770s the demand exceeded supply. Hence, the French came further north, to East Africa, in search of slaves.
3. Slaves were needed as porters: They ferried goods such as ivory and gold from interior of Africa to the Coast. This was important for the ivory trade, especially to the American, Indian and British traders who took part in it.
4. Establishment of coffee and sugarcane plantations by the Portuguese in America: Portuguese slave traders supplied slaves to the Portuguese coffee and sugarcane plantations in Brazil. In the first half of the 18th century, the Portuguese expanded their plantations. As a result, their sources of slaves in West Africa and Mozambique became inadequate, so they came to East Africa.
5. High demanding for domestic workers in Asian countries: Slaves were highly demanded to different Asian and Arabian countries to work in different activities like houseboys, soldiers and farm laboures.
6. Opening of large slave markets in east Africa and Brazil: There were major slave markets in Brazil and east Africa such as in Zanzibar, Bagamoyo, Pemba, Kilwa, Mikindani and Mombasa.
7. The role played by African local chiefs: most African local chiefs acted as the agents of slave trade where they captured many slaves and sold them to the Arabs since it was very profitable to them. E.g chief Mirambo, nyunguyamawe, etc.
8. Expansion of ivory trade: Normally the expansion of Ivory trade in East Africa contributed to high need for slaves for carrying Ivory from the interiors to the coast, hence slaves who carry Ivory when reach coasts they sold to the Arabs.
Conclusion
The Quran forbids Muslims from enslaving other Muslims. Thus, the slaves had to come from non-Muslim regions such as the interior of East Africa.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SLAVE TRADE
There were the characteristics which prevailed during slave trade.
1. There were several human torture and transits.
2. Humiliation and dehumanization of the slaves.
3. Slave were chained and forced to carry heavy loads like salt, ivory and copper.
4. They were brutally whipped by their organizers
5. They were blended like animals. Those who were unfit were killed or left to die on the way.
THE ORGANIZATION OF SLAVE TRADE IN INDIAN OCEAN
The organization of slave trade in East Africa in 19 th century depended much on the factors which were:-
1. Question of capital to buy Ivory and slaves: At the beginning the Indian merchants called “Banyans” based in Zanzibar supplied capital example cloth was used to buy Ivory and slaves.
2. Organization of caravans: The famous traders who organized caravans were Tippu tippu between the East coast and present day Congo Kinshasa, Mlozi in Belgian, Rumaliza in Ujiji Kigoma and Msiri in urea country present day Zambia.
3. The involvement of local rulers in the slave and ivory trade: Nyungu ya mawe, Isike and Mirambo among the Nyamwezi, Kabaka of Uganda, Mkwawa of wahehe, Machemba of Yao.
COMMODITIES EXCHANGED DURING THE SLAVE TRADE
1. From interiors to the coasts: Ivory and slaves, animal skins, minerals.
2. From the coast to the interiors: clothes, salts wine, glass ware beads and ornaments.
METHODS/TECHNIQUES/TACTS OR MECHANISMS USED TO CAPTURE SLAVES
Slaves were obtained through various ways:
1. Through raiding village and capturing people.
2. Through selling prisoners of war obtained from local civil wars.
3. Through selling criminals.
4. Through selling of domestic slaves.
5. Through ways of laying and ambush.
6. Through use of trickery and false pretense.
IMPACTS OF SLAVE TRADE IN E. AFRICA
SOCIAL EFFECTS
1. Depopulation; many people were taken to work as slaves and others died on the way.
2. Insecurity and fear among the people.
3. Emergence of social classes.
4. Separation of families
5. Emergence of famine and hunger. Due to low production caused by lack of time and freedom to people to concentrate on production
ECONOMIC EFFECTS
1. Decline of local industries.
2. Intensive exploitation of African resources.
3. Technological stagnation; no innovation was made as all able bodied people were taken as slaves only children and old ones were left behind.
4. Total underdevelopment of East Africa; slave trade increased dependence on European capitalist countries.
THE CARAVAN/ROUTES
There were three main caravan routes during East Africa slave trade.
The Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI) is an autonomous Institute established through an Act of Parliament No 7 of 1996 with the main objective of providing services in the field of Orthopaedic, Traumatology, and Neurosurgery. Furthermore, MOI offers Research and training or capacity building on how to provide the best services to the community. Currently, the hospital has 362 beds enrolled under Public-private mix. One of the services provided at the is basis early education to children with disabilities.
B. THE TRIANGULAR SLAVE TRADE
The triangular slave trade (T.S.T): was the trading activities which was conducted by the Europeans in relation with the Africans and the Americans across the Atlantic Ocean from the 16 th to 18 th century. However Triangular slave trade sometimes was known as intercontinental trade. It was called triangular because its shape look like triangle.
The Trans – Atlantic triangular trade originated from the discovery made by Christopher Columbus who was born in 1451 Genoa, after the discovery of new world (American) in 1492. The Portuguese were the first foreigners to capture slaves at the coast of West Africa. In 1441, Alitam Goncalvez a Portuguese captured a man and a woman and sent them as gifts to the King of Portugal (Prince Henry the Navigator before his death in 1440.)
COMMODITIES THAT WERE EXCHANGED
The major commodities of exchange in the triangular trade were:-
FROM AFRICA: Exported slaves, gold, ivories and animal skins.
FROM AMERICA: exported sugar, cotton, Tobacco, Gold and Silver.
FROM EUROPE: Supplied manufactured goods such as clothes, gun powder, glass were, sugar and tobacco.
FACTORS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRANS-ANTLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
1. The discovery of new world: After discovery of the new world by Christopher Columbus in 1492 Britain colonized modern days united state of America (USA), the French occupied Canada, Portugal colonized Brazil and Spain colonized Latin America.
2. The weakness of American natives: The Europeans found the natives (Red Indians) unfit for labor in the mines and plantations because they were weak and affected by small pocks and lived nomadic life.
3. Advancement in marine technology in Europe between 15 th and 17 th century. Europeans nations developed marine technology as they had ships which could carry bullay cargo for a long distance.
4. Establishment of large coffee and sugarcane plantations by portuguese in Brazil.
5. The physical fitness of African slaves.
6. The expensive of European labourers while African slaves were very cheap.
7. The accessibility between new world and west African coasts.
EFFECTS OF TRANS-ANTLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
ECONOMIC RESULTS
1. Decline of production; this led people not to engaged in production especially in agriculture and mining activities due to slave trade.
2. Decrease of manpower; most of energetic people were captured and taken as slaves.
3. Technological stagnation.
4. Introduction of new crops example bananas, beans, cassava, and maize.
5. Development of forts example Lagos, port novo and Dakar
6. Emergency of local wealth classes; African local rulers participated in slave trade they become rich example Asantehene of Asante.
7. Integration of Africa into the world capitalist economy hence led to colonization of African continent.
8. Introduction of legitimate trade after abolition of slave trade; this was trade in natural products example rubber, cotton, palm oil and grand nuts.
SOCIAL EFFECTS
1. Fear and insecurity.
2. Emergence of mullatos in West Africa.
3. Retardation of African culture.
4. Families were broken off.
5. They established artificial boundaries and treaties.
6. They opened up the interior of African where they search was around.
7. They facilitate destruction of African culture.
ECONOMIC EFFECTS
1. Trade network between the traders of the east coast and the interior communities such as the Yao and Nyamwezi were disrupted by the Ngoni raids. Commodities could therefore not reach the communities that needed them.
2. The Ngoni warriors destroyed both human life and livestock. Thus, they made some communities such as Ndebele economically disadvantaged.
3. Due to insecurity, agricultural activities were disrupted. This caused food shortages.
4. A lot of valuable time was wasted as young people prepared for war. There was therefore shortage of labor for economic activities such as agriculture, hunting and fishing.
5. New technological skills were introduced, especially in iron working as the long spears were replaced by short stabbing spears.
THE ABOLITION OF SLAVE TRADE IN AFRICA
What is abolition of slave trade?
Abolition of slave trade: Refers to the state of stopping selling and buying human being (slaves) as a commodities in the markets. Noramlly, Britain was the first nation to establish abolition of slave trade campaign due to industrial revolution. In 1833, Britain abolished slavery, in 1865 U.S.A also abolished and the total abolition of slave trade in East Africa took place during the colonial period.
REASONS FOR THE ABOLITION OF SLAVE TRADE
ECONOMIC REASONS
1. The impact of industrial revolution in Europe 1750: Normally this has replaced human labour hence slave become unprofitable again to British capitalist systems. Therefore industrial revolution contributed to the abolition of slave trade through the following reasons :-
i. Need for cheap labour: for growing of raw materials
ii. Need for markets: due to the industrial revolution, there was increased production of industrial products in Europe that lacked enough demand; this forced the British to abolish slave trade so that markets can be created in Africa for their manufactured goods.
iii. Need for raw materials: due to the industrial revolution, there was increased demand for raw materials in Britain. The existing raw materials were limited to supply due to the mushrooming of industries. This situation necessitated the abolition of the slave trade so that Africans can produce the needed raw materials.
iv. The use of machines, the industrial revolution was characterized by the use of machines in the production process, these machines replaced human labor. The owners of the machines campaigned for the abolition of the slave trade because slave labor had become redundant.
v. Finding areas for investment of their surplus capital: The capitalists in order to secure and easy to be accepted in different parts of the world, they decided to initiates slave trade abolition campaigns.
2. Sugar competion in the markets between French and British: for so long period, the British had a monopoly on sugar in the European market. The sugar was produced by slave labor in the British West Indies. The British was selling their sugar at very high prices thus making huge profits. However, by the end of the 18thC, the French West Indies and re union islands were producing sugar in large quantities and selling at a cheaper price thus making more profits than the British. This situation made slave labor in British West Indies useless thus forcing the British to abolish the slave trade.
SOCIAL REASONS
3. The role played by philosophers: The rise of men with new humanistic ideas like Prof. Adam Smith, David Ricardo (challenged the economic arguments that were the basis of slave trade when he argued convincingly that hired labor is cheaper and more productive than slave labor, Rousseau spread the idea of personal liberty and equality of all men.
4. Humanitarian movements, the humanitarians such as Granville sharp and Thomas Clarkson played a certain role in the abolition of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. These people argued that slave trade had caused a lot of suffering to the people thus it had to be abolished. These efforts were followed by British declarations of 1807 and 1833 which abolished slave trade and slavery. Example: William Wilberforce.
5. Religious reasons: the religious bodies contributed to the abolition of the slave trade in Africa. They argued that slave trade was against the will of God because he had created all people equal but slave trade was treating Africans as an inferior class. The Christians denounced slave trade in the name of God and argued that it must be abolished. E.g William Wilber Force.
POLITICAL FACTORS
6. French revolution of 1789: the French revolution of 1789 had a role to play in the abolition of the slave trade. The slogan of the revolution was fraternity, liberty and equality. Philosophers such as Rousseau campaigned for the abolition of slave trade. These philosophers claimed that slave trade was against the ideals of the French revolution thus it had to be stopped.
7. The American independence in 1776: it has led to the closely of slave market in Brazil and moreover it has contributed to the development of black nationalistic movements in America such Pan African movement, hence it contributed to the abolition of slave trade.
TACTICS/METHODS USED BY BRITISH TO ABOLISH SLAVE TRADE
Abolitionist and humanitarians used several methods to pressure nations to abolish slave trade in the world. These tactics include the following;
1. They used campaign meetings: sometimes they asked freed slaves to address the realities and how they were mistreated in slavery.
2. Anti-Slavery trade patrol ships from Britain: they patrolled the seas to prevent ships from sailing from Africa with slaves.
3. Intellectuals and writers: they used books, newspapers and magazines to condemn slavery and slave trade.
4. Treaties to stop slave trade were signed between nations: Some of the treaties signed between the Sultan of Zanzibar and the British in East Africa were:-
i. In 1807, British parliament outlawed slave trade for British subjects, In 1817 British negotiated the the reciprocal search treaties” with Spain and Portugal. Equipment treaties signed with Spain 1835, Portugal 1842 and America 1862.
5. Through diplomatic methods.
6. The use of legal means.
7. Through introducing legitimate trade.
9. The use of mass religious campaigns.
THE SLAVE TRADE ABOLITION TREATIES
1. Mores by treaty in 1822: was signed between captain Moresby and sultan Seyyid Said: it prohibited the shipping of slaves outside the sultan's territories. British ships were authorized to stop and search suspected Arabs slave carrying dhows.
2. Hamerton treaty in 1845: was signed between Colonel Hamerton and sultan Seyyid Said: It prohibited the shipping of slaves outside the sultan's East Africa territories i.e. beyond to the North. In 1871, the British set up the parliamentary commission of inquiry to investigate and report on slave trade in East Africa.
3. Frere treaty In 1873: it was signed between sir Bartle Frere and sultan Barghash to stop slave trade but not much was achieved: On 5th march 1873, the sultan passed a decree prohibiting the export of slaves from mainland and closed of slave market at Zanzibar. Zanzibar slave market was to be closed within 24 hours.
i. In 1876, sultan decreed that no slaves were to be transported overland.
ii. In 1897, decree left slaves to claim their freedom themselves
iii. In 1907, slavery was abolished entirely in Zanzibar and Pemba.
iv. In 1927, slavery ended in Tanganyika when British took over from Germany after the Second World War.
EFFECTS OF THE ABOLITION OF THE TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
1. Foundation of sierra Leone and Liberia: these areas were established by the Europeans powers as settlements for the freed slaves. They received freed slaves from America. It should be noted that the Trans-Atlantic slave trade uprooted millions of Africans who were supposed to offer labor in America.
2. Introduction of legitimate trade: there was introduction of legitimate trade that involved the buying and selling of natural resources, Example palm oil and cocoa. The colonial powers introduced legitimate trade so that it can facilitate the acquisition of raw materials and markets which were crucial in Europe after the industrial revolution.
3. Exploitation of hinterland: before the abolition of the slave trade, the colonial powers operated along the coast of West Africa searching for slaves, but after the abolition of slave trade they penetrated the interior searching for raw materials and market where they can sell their manufactured goods.
4. Increased spread of Christianity: the European powers increased the spread of Christianity after the abolition of slave trade. Christianity was a way of compensating for the ills committed by slave trade. This religion was also spread to counter the spread of Islam in West Africa.
5. Increased provision of social services: the colonial powers increased the provision of social services especially education. The main aim of colonial education was to train Africans to become better producers of raw materials that were needed in Europe. Colonial education was also supposed to change the mentality of Africans to prefer European goods thus created a ready market for them.
6. Improvement of the agricultural sector: the colonial powers improved the agricultural sector by introducing better methods of farming to increase the production of raw materials. It should be noted that the colonialists discouraged the production of food crops in Africa.
PROBLEMS FACED BRITISH ON ABOLITION OF SLAVE TRADE IN E. AFRICA
West Africa abolished slave trade in 1834 while East Africa in 1873 soon after the closed of slave market in Zanzibar. There were number of problems faced or encountered by British during the abolition of slave trade in Africa particularly in East Africa and normally those were:-
1. Tropical diseases: most slave trade campaigners were suffered much from tropical diseases like small pox, chorela and maralia hence has led for delay for abolition of slave trade in east Africa.
2. British lacked support from other European countries: Historically British was the only industrial nation by the time since 1750-1850's where under this situation most countries in Europe like grace, German, Italy Portugal were still use slaves as their source of production, however those countries never support the abolition of slave trade since slaves still profitable to them.
3. Poor infrastructures: this was another challenge which Haas led to delay for abolition of slave trade in east Africa since it become difficult to penetrate to interior to spread the campaigns of abolition of slave trade due to poor transportation systems.
4. Failure of some treaties: Most slave trade abolitional treaties were made in coast areas only then most of them were experienced failure.
5. Lack of enough fund: normally the abolition of slave trade needed high cost since it involved with transportation of some free salve toward their mother countries hence this brought difficult.
6. Language barriers: some slave trade abolitionalists suffered from language barriers since they were not awere with local languages.
7. The influence of African local chiefs: African Chiefs they continued to be agents of slave trade organizers in interiors.
8. Existence of slave market in Zanzibar: The presence of nearby slave maket necessitated much high demanding for slaves.
GUIDING QUESTIONS
1. Elaborate six motive behind the coming of Sultan Seyyid Said in Zanzibar.
2. Why Seyyid said shifted his capital (Muscat) to Zanzibar by the early of 19th Century? Six points.
3. Why it was took so long to abolish slave trade in E. Africa than West Africa? (Six points)
4. Expain six (6) obstacles hindered the efforts of abolition of slave trade in East Africa.
5. Analyse six factors which spear headed the slave trade in East Africa.
