THE CONTACT BETWEEN AFRICA AND EUROPE_TOPIC 3_HISTORY FORM 2
THE CONTACT BETWEEN AFRICA AND EUROPE
THE COMING OF PORTUGUESE
The
Portuguese became interested in controlling the Indian Ocean trade in the 15th
century due to the commercial capitalism in Europe. At the time, there was
great demand for gold, silver silk and spices especially among the kings and
wealthy, people, gold and silver were used to make coins and expensive
ornaments.
At
that time Portugal was a poor country with a small population, it was greatly
overshadowed by its larger neighbor Spain. At the beginning of 15th
century Portugal had begun to exceed in one area; Navigation. Portugal Price Henry the navigator set up a
navigation school in the country and encouraged exploration voyages. By sailing
to Africa, the Portuguese hoped to control trade and enrich the country.
In
the 1470’s The Portuguese landed on the Gold coast of West Africa. They built a
port which they called Elmina. From
this fort they controlled the gold trade between Africa and Europe.
In 1487,Bartholomew Diaz, a
Portuguese explorer reached the Southern cape of Africa and called it the Cape of Good Hope. On 1st March 1498, Vasco da Gama
reached Malindi on the East African Coast. The same year he arrived in
Calicut, India and became the first European to sail directly from Europe to
India.
MOTIVES/AIMS OF THE CONTACT
BETWEEN AFRICA AND THE PORTUGUESE
A: ECONOMIC MOTIVES
(i) Finding sea route to
India, in the 15th century, the Ottoman Turks had occupied a
large part of the Middle East, blocking the overland trade route between India
and Europe. Therefore, Europeans could not get much valued silk, spices and
Gold from Asia. The Portuguese came to Africa as they attempted to find a sea
route through which they could trade with India.
(ii) Trade,
the Portuguese wanted to trade with Africans and replace the Arab middlemen who
took African goods to Europe. Portuguese traders got valuable items such as
ivory, gold and gum from Africa and sold them profitably in Europe. In
exchange, they brought European cloth, copper and brass items to the Africans.
This trade helped to strengthen the Portuguese economy in the 15th century.
(iii) Creating Portuguese
Trade Empire, Portugal wanted to dominate the trade
between Asia, Africa and Europe and creating a trading empire. To achieve this
the Portuguese had to overcome the Arab traders who dominated the trade. In
addition, it was necessary to prevent other European nations from colonizing
the African coast because the world interferes with Portuguese trading
interests.
(iv) Exploiting of African
resources, Portugal was a poor country, so Portuguese were in
search of resources that could bring them wealth and recognition in Europe.
Therefore, they established settlements and plantations on the Islands of Sao
tome and Principle and they used African labor to grow sugar cane there. The
produced products were exported to Europe and America.
(v) Establishment of
strategic ports, along the East African coast there were many
natural harbors that could serve as stop over point for Portuguese ships. The
sailors could rest and restock their supplies at those harbors. Portuguese
built forts at some of those harbor in order to protect their trade from Arabs
and other European competitors. For example, of such forts are Elmina Castle in
Modern days Ghana and Fort Jesus in Mombasa Kenya.
B: SOCIAL MOTIVES
(i) Adventure,
Some Portuguese explorers visited Africa in search of Adventure, through their
advanced ships building and Navigation skills enabled them to travel everywhere
in search of new land to explore. These voyages were supported by the leader in
Portugal especially Prince Henry The navigator.
(ii) Spreading
Christianity, The Portuguese felt that it was their duty
to spread the Christian faith and reduce the influence of Islam along the coast
of Africa.
(iii) Search for the King Prester John,
there was a rumors that this Christian King named Prester John whose Kingdom
was believed to be somewhere around Ethiopia in North East Africa. The
Portuguese wanted to find this King and form alliance with him against the
Muslim.
THE PORTUGUESE EXPLOITATION
RESULTED INTO DISCOVERIES OF POTENTIAL AREAS
The
Portuguese established trade with societies found in the coastal areas. They
also created central point where ships could stop on the way to India. After
establishing trade, the Portuguese obtained items such as ivory, gold, copper
and silver; they exchange them with cloth, guns, gunpowder etc.
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.
THE IMPACTS OF PORTUGUESE
INVASION IN AFRICA
THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF
PORTUGUESE
(a)
Introduction of crops especially cash crops in Africa e.g. Sugarcane, yellow
maize, cassava, rice, pineapples, potatoes etc.
(b)
Decline of trade; the trade between East Africa, Far East and Middle East was
interrupted by the Portuguese.
(c)
Change of major trade routes.
(d)
Exposed Africa to the external world.
(e)
They built several forts, example; Fort Jesus in 1592 in Mombasa, Fort at
Kilwa.
(f)
They acted as the introducers of new arts to the indigenous of Africa
continent.
SOCIAL IMPACTS OF
PORTUGUESE
(a)
Decline of cities and states.
(b)
Growth of Swahili language. E.g. new Portuguese words i.e. Mvinyo from word
Vincho, Meza Etc.
(c)
Insecurity and loss of manpower.
THE REASONS FOR THE
COLLAPSE OF PORTUGUESE
1)
They suffered from tropical disease like malaria.
2)
The climate conditions of East African coast were unhealthy for the Portuguese.
3)
Social, culture and religion differences i.e. 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.
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