west african kingdoms
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: West African Kingdoms](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022080214/55abdbed1a28abe62f8b4640/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
West African Kingdoms
Erwin Middle SchoolMr. Scullion
![Page 2: West African Kingdoms](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022080214/55abdbed1a28abe62f8b4640/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
The West African
Kingdom
We looked at the
Americas yesterday,
today we will study
one other
connection, The
West African
Kingdoms.
![Page 3: West African Kingdoms](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022080214/55abdbed1a28abe62f8b4640/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Life in an African Tribe
Across the ocean
from the Americas,
on the western
coast of Africa,
people lived in
societies that had
much in common
with Native
American societies.
West Africans
believed in a wide
range of spirits.
Most of the people
made their living
from the land.
![Page 4: West African Kingdoms](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022080214/55abdbed1a28abe62f8b4640/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Africa’s Trade Network
For centuries, West
African kingdoms had
been part of a vast trading
network that stretched
through Europe, India, and
Asia. West Africans
exported gold, copper,
cloth, and spices. They
became famous for their
skills at weaving cloth,
forging, iron, and crafting
ornaments from copper
and gold.
![Page 5: West African Kingdoms](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022080214/55abdbed1a28abe62f8b4640/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Africa’s Slave Trade
West African kingdoms were usually ruled by a wealthy
group of elites, who maintained their power by
controlling trade. When Europeans became interested
in the slave trade, these elites helped the Europeans
take advantage of existing trade networks. This made it
easy to acquire large numbers of enslaved West
Africans.
![Page 6: West African Kingdoms](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022080214/55abdbed1a28abe62f8b4640/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Europe Vs Africa
The Portuguese took the lead in ocean exploration. They sailed down Africa’s western coast looking for gold and spices. They claimed African islands as Portuguese territory. Although the main motive for exploration was economic, explorers used religion to justify their territorial claims.
The Portuguese were Catholics, who believed all land belonged to God. At the time, most Catholics believed God’s representative on earth, the Pope, had the right to give lands governed by non-Christians to Christian rulers. Pope Nicholas V granted the Portuguese rights to all the land they found in return for a promise to convert the inhabitants. He also gave them permission to kill or enslave anyone who resisted Christianity. Pope Alexander VI gave similar rights to Spain in 1493.
![Page 7: West African Kingdoms](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022080214/55abdbed1a28abe62f8b4640/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Europe Vs Africa
At first, the Portuguese thought they might be able totake over African kingdoms. But they quickly found thatAfricans had effective defenses. The king of Kongocould raise an army of 80,000 men. African ships weresmaller than European ships, but they kept Europeansfrom sailing up the rivers that led to major cities.
Africa also had a hidden weapon—disease. Africa washome to deadly tropical diseases that Europeans hadnever encountered. Thousands of European sailors diedduring their trips to Africa, and few survived long stayson the mainland. In the end, Europeans settled fortrading in Africa instead of settling on the lands.
![Page 8: West African Kingdoms](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022080214/55abdbed1a28abe62f8b4640/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Europe Vs Africa
&
Tropical Disease
![Page 9: West African Kingdoms](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022080214/55abdbed1a28abe62f8b4640/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Europe and Africa
Trade
![Page 10: West African Kingdoms](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022080214/55abdbed1a28abe62f8b4640/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Europe and Africa
Trade
Africans welcomed European trade. African leadersincreased their prestige by distributing new Europeangoods. For some rulers, Christianity also offered a newform of spiritual authority, which they added to theirreligious beliefs. Kongo king Nzinga Nkuma, for example,got baptized and adopted a new name in honor of thePortuguese monarch.
The Portuguese purchased pepper from Benin, gold fromthe Gold Coast, and cloth and ivory from Kongo. They alsobought a few enslaved Africans. Eventually, Portuguesesailors made their way around the tip of Africa and reachedIndia. The new route gave Portugal access to the richtrading ports of India and Asia. Trade helped Portugalbecome a wealthy country.