Contacts with Europe (The Portuguese, Dutch Settlement at the Cape)

The Social and Economic Motives of Contact between Africa and Portugal

Explain the social and economic motives of the contacts between Africa and the Portuguese

The Portuguese

The contact between Africans and Portuguese dates back as far as 15^th Century:

• The Portuguese led by Vasco da Gama reached the East coast in 1498.They were the first Western Europeans to enter the Coast from the South.
• The Portuguese managed to reach this region in their attempt to explore a sea route to India around the continent of Africa.
• Their search for a sea route was supported by Prince Henry the navigator, the son of King John of Portugal.

The Commodities which were Exchanged during the Contact

Identify the commodities which were exchanged during the contacts

Commodities which were exchanged during the contact

• The important commodities involved during the contact included, copper, gold, silver, spices and ivory from Africa and invaluable goods from Europe such as wines alcohol, mirrors, glassware etc.

The Social and Economic Impact of the Portuguese in Africa

Explain the social and economic impact of the Portuguese to Africa

Economic Motives

• Need to exploit valuable resources believed to exist in Africa such as gold, silver and ivory.
• To create a Portuguese empire in the African coasts.
• To secure the sources of gold that existed in Africa. Several regions of Africa such as Akan in West were the main sources of gold.
• To find a sea route to India and Far East (famous for Spices) and this was in response the closure of the land routes to Asia by the Ottoman Turks in 1453.
• Need to monopolise Indian Ocean trade which for a long period was dominated by Arabs, Chinese, Indonesians and Indians merchants. The trade was profitable.
• Need to control strategic points: East Africa provided bases for military troops in the mission of the Portuguese of controlling the East.

Social Motives

• Religious: Portuguese wanted to spread Christianity in Africa and prevent further spread of Islam in Africa.
• Personal initiative of the King of Portugal Prince Henry the Navigator who sponsored and encouraged the Pioneer Voyages.
• Exploration: At the end of 13^th Century Western Europe had experienced the period of learning new knowledge and discoveries.This made people start to explore unknown land and sailing unmapped areas.

The Reasons for the Fall of the Portuguese Rule in East Africa and its Impact

Explain the reasons for the fall of the Portuguese rule in East Africa and its impact

The reasons for the fall of the Portuguese rule in East Africa

• Resistances: The mounting resistance from the coast by feudal lords and traders who wanted to protect their political and economic interests.
• Attacks from the interior tribes such as the Zimba and the Segeju from the Zambezi Regions.
• The rivalries from the Dutch and the English merchants who had interests in Eastern trade.This brought about competition.These rivalries reduced Portugal's power in the East African Coast.
• Portuguese weakness: Portugal was a small country without enough qualified and competent personnel to administer overseas business.
• Tropical disease: The Portuguese suffered from tropical diseases and harsh climatic conditions.This made the area become unfavorable for the Portuguese settlements.
• The Portuguese rule over East Africa ended in 1698 when Portuguese witnessed the fall of Fort Jesus in Mombasa which was their headquarters and one of the strongest Portuguese garrisons.

Impact of the Portuguese in Africa

Social Impact

• The introduction of new crops in Africa such as maize and cassava which became staple food for many people in Africa.
• Introduction of Portuguese words in Kiswahili language, such as meza, leso, gereza, mvinyo etc.
• Decline of Coastal City states example Mombasa, Kilwa, Gedi which were once very rich and prominent.
• Insecurity and loss of properties, due to the frequent conquest resistances and wars.
• Spread of Christianity into parts of Africa.

Economic Impact

• The decline of Indian Ocean trade because of diversion of major trade routes through the Atlantic Ocean.
• The exposure of Africa to international trade. Africa became known to Europe and America due to explorations made by the Portuguese.
• The decline of gold production in Mwenemutapa (Zimbabwe) after development of the conflict between Africa miners and the Portuguese.
• Building of forts such as Fort Jesus in Mombasa attracts tourists in Kenya and generates income for the country.

Posted in: