West African Kingdoms

Erwin Middle SchoolMr. Scullion

The West African

Kingdom

We looked at the

Americas yesterday,

today we will study

one other

connection, The

West African

Kingdoms.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Europe Vs Africa

&

Tropical Disease

Europe and Africa

Trade

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.