2.3. Achievements of the Manikongos Flashcards
Who was Afonso I and what was his original name?
Afonso I was originally named Mvemba Nzinga.
What significant religious conversion did Afonso I undergo?
Afonso I converted to Catholicism.
What civil conflict occurred upon Afonso I’s ascension to the throne?
Afonso I faced a civil war with factions wishing to expel Europeans and those wanting to welcome them.
What was Afonso I’s relationship with the Portuguese during his reign?
Afonso I entered into beneficial relations with King Manuel of Portugal.
What were some domestic achievements of Afonso I?
Afonso I built schools, roads, and expanded the capital using Portuguese stone masons.
What challenges did Afonso I face regarding the slave trade?
Afonso I struggled to regulate the slave trade and faced increasing problems with Portuguese traders.
Fill in the blank: Afonso I attributed his victory in the civil war to _______.
divine intervention.
What actions did Afonso I take to promote Christianity?
Afonso I destroyed traditional religious symbols and built churches and schools.
How did Afonso I attempt to regulate the slave trade?
He issued decrees to regulate and moderate the slave trade and set taxes on slave purchases.
True or False: Afonso I entirely rejected the slave trade.
False.
Who succeeded Afonso I after his death?
Pedro I succeeded Afonso I.
What was the outcome of Pedro I’s reign?
Pedro I faced opposition and was overthrown in 1545.
Who was Diogo I and what was his relationship to Afonso I?
Diogo I was the grandson of Afonso I.
What did Diogo I do to counteract opposition during his reign?
Diogo I developed networks of clerical support and welcomed Jesuit missionaries.
How did Diogo I manipulate the slave trade?
He required nzimbu shells to be used as currency, making Portuguese traders dependent on Kongo.
What significant military action did Diogo I undertake?
Diogo I launched a war against Ndongo.
What was the result of Diogo I’s military actions against Ndongo?
Kongolese forces suffered a severe defeat, leading to Ndongo’s recognition by Portugal.
What major issue plagued the Kongo after Diogo I’s death?
Succession disputes became a major problem.
What was the time frame of the House of Kwilu’s rule?
1568-1622.
What was the outcome of the Portuguese missions to Ndongo in 1579?
The missions ended in a disastrous uprising, forcing the Portuguese to retreat.
Fill in the blank: The capital of the Kongo was located at _______.
Mbanza Kongo.
What system did the Kongo political structure provide for succession?
Open election of a successor from among the descendants of the first king.
What were the provinces of Kongo administered by?
Governors appointed by the manikongo.
What was a significant aspect of Afonso I’s legacy regarding Christianity?
He promoted Christianity diligently, despite the poor behavior of many missionaries.
What major problems did Afonso I face during his reign?
Challenges with the slave trade, Portuguese traders’ actions, and internal succession issues.
What major problem arose from succession disputes for the next 200 years?
Succession disputes became a major problem for the next 200 years.
What significant event took place in 1568 involving Alvaro I?
The Jaga invasion occurred and Alvaro’s army was defeated.
What was Alvaro I’s birth name?
Nimi a Lukeni Lua Mvemba.
Who was Alvaro I’s mother and whom did she marry after his father’s death?
His mother remarried Henrique I.
What happened to Henrique I shortly after becoming king?
He died fighting Teke warriors.
How did Alvaro I reportedly gain the throne?
He was acclaimed king by a majority of important noble families or took power by force.
What was the outcome of Alvaro I’s appeal for help during the Jaga invasion?
He was aided by the Portuguese garrison and defeated the invaders.
What did Alvaro I rename Mbanza Kongo?
Sao Salvador.
What was the Portuguese government’s claim regarding Alvaro I’s trade rights?
They claimed he granted traders the right to trade without paying taxes.
What significant market demand helped Alvaro I acquire revenue?
The demand for Kongo’s raffia cloth.
What was Alvaro II’s birth name?
Mpanzu a Nimi.
What challenges did Alvaro II face upon becoming king?
He had to defeat a rival brother and foil a conspiracy by one of his sisters.
What did Alvaro II grant to loyal nobles during his reign?
Habits of the Order of Christ.
What was a significant diplomatic issue during Alvaro II’s reign?
Struggles with the bishop appointed by the King of Portugal.
What was the fate of Kongo’s relations with Portuguese Angola during Alvaro II’s reign?
Relations worsened significantly.
Who was Pedro II?
A compromise candidate elected after Alvaro III’s death.
What did Pedro II declare after a Portuguese army invaded Kongo?
He declared Angola an enemy of the state.
What was the outcome of the battle at Mbanda Kasi?
Kongo crushed the Portuguese and Imbangala forces.
What was Garcia I’s relationship to Pedro II?
He was Pedro II’s son.
What happened to Garcia I shortly after he became king?
He was forced to flee to Soyo due to a coup.
What significant conflict occurred during the House of Kimpanzu’s reign?
A series of wars against Ndongo.
What was Garcia II’s birth name?
Nkanga a Lukeni a Nzenze a Ntumba.
What reputation did Garcia II gain before becoming king?
He was known as a wily military leader.
What alliance did Garcia II have to honor during his reign?
The Dutch-Kongolese alliance.
What was the outcome of the Dutch invasion of Luanda?
They captured Luanda but could not dislodge Portuguese forces in the interior.
What method did Garcia II use to consolidate his power?
He formed a royal council of leading nobles and clergy.
What was a key aspect of Kongo’s diplomacy during Garcia II’s reign?
Opulence of imported goods from the slave trade.
What role did Italian and Spanish missionaries play in Garcia II’s reign?
They were valuable for ensuring non-Portuguese priests arrived in Kongo.
What position did Dom Sebastiao hold?
Duke of Mbamba
Who did Dom Sebastiao marry?
One of Garcia’s daughters
What was the primary strategy used by Garcia II to eliminate political rivals?
Slowly removed members of rival families from political offices
Which religious order did the missionaries belong to that Garcia II sent for?
Capuchin order of friars
Who led the first group of Capuchin missionaries sent by Garcia II?
Bunaventura d’Alessano
In what year did the Capuchin missionaries first arrive?
1645
List three main reasons the Capuchin missionaries were valuable to Garcia II.
- They were not Portuguese and would not conspire with the Angolan colony
- They did not belong to rival Kongo families
- They provided spiritual aid during crises
What significant event occurred in 1652 involving secular priests?
Secular priests convinced Garcia II that foreigners encouraged his rivals
What did Garcia II do after the Capuchin priest Joris Van Gheel was killed?
Captured all the villagers and sold them off as slaves
What actions did Garcia II authorize against other African religious movements?
Campaigns against different African religious movements
How did Garcia II’s leadership compare to his successors?
No leader after him had similar authority
Who is considered ‘the most successful manikongo’?
Afonso I
What are some measures of ‘success’ that could be considered in evaluating Afonso I?
- Economic success
- Military success
- Successful relations with Europeans
- Extension
