Compare how the Swahili coast of East Africa and the kingdom of Kongo were impacted by their role in global trade during the seventeenth century?
The kingdom of kongo and the swahili coast were both destroyed
Both the kingdom of kongo and the swahili coast rose to greater prominence due to Portuguese involment
the kingdom of kongo moved north, while the swahili coast disbanded
the kingdom of kongo lost control of slave trade, while the swahili coast lost its power to extract resources
Both the Swahili coast of East Africa and the kingdom of Kongo were impacted by their role in global trade during the seventeenth century, but in different ways.
1. Swahili Coast:
- The Swahili coast, a region comprising a series of independent city-states along the eastern coast of Africa, had already been engaged in long-distance trade with the Persians, Arabs, and Indians prior to the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century.
- With the arrival of the Portuguese, the Swahili coast experienced a shift in trade routes and patterns. The Portuguese sought to control the Indian Ocean trade and established forts along the coast, disrupting the existing trade networks.
- The Swahili city-states initially resisted Portuguese influence and continued their trade with other regions, including the Middle East and India. However, over time, the Portuguese gained control over key port cities such as Kilwa, Mombasa, and Zanzibar, which significantly impacted the Swahili coast's role in global trade.
- As a result, the Swahili coast lost its position as a major trading hub and its power to extract resources from the interior of Africa. The Portuguese dominance in the region redirected trade towards their own colonies and weakened the Swahili coast economically and politically.
2. Kingdom of Kongo:
- The kingdom of Kongo, located in present-day Angola, was a centralized state with a long history of trade with the Portuguese prior to the seventeenth century.
- Initially, the Portuguese trade with Kongo was mainly in ivory, copper, and other goods. However, as demand for African slave labor in the Americas grew, the kingdom of Kongo became a major supplier of slaves.
- Participation in the Atlantic slave trade brought increased wealth and power to the kingdom of Kongo initially. Its rulers received European goods such as firearms and luxury items in exchange for slaves.
- However, the increased demand for slaves led to internal destabilization within the kingdom. Warring factions emerged, and conflicts erupted over control of the slave trade.
- Additionally, European slave traders often violated Kongo's sovereignty, established their own forts, and disrupted local power dynamics, leading to further political instability.
- Ultimately, the kingdom of Kongo was severely impacted by the slave trade. It suffered social disruption, economic exploitation, and political disintegration, ultimately losing control over the slave trade and facing societal collapse.
In summary, while both the Swahili coast and the kingdom of Kongo were impacted by their role in global trade during the seventeenth century, the Swahili coast lost its power and prominence as the Portuguese gained control, while the kingdom of Kongo suffered internal strife and ultimately lost control of the slave trade.