2.5 Slavery Flashcards
What was the impact of the slave trade on the Kongo?
Led to a variety of ills, including depopulation and undermining of royal prestige
Davidson argues this point.
What does Rodney claim about European demand for slaves?
Intensified slavery in Africa
Rodney’s interpretation.
What does Fage suggest about slavery in West Africa?
Slavery already existed and European merchants tapped into an existing supply
Fage’s interpretation.
What does Lovejoy argue regarding production processes in Africa?
More production processes were transferred to slaves, making them central to the political economy
Lovejoy’s interpretation.
What was Hilton’s argument about the development of slavery in Kongo?
The relationship with Portuguese led to the development of slavery where none existed before
Hilton’s interpretation.
What does Thornton argue about Kongo’s rulers and the slave trade?
Kongo’s rulers controlled and contained the negative effects of the trade
Thornton’s interpretation.
What was Afonso I’s approach to the slave trade?
Facilitated the trade by establishing secure markets for slave sale
Afonso’s involvement in the slave market.
How were slaves acquired in early Kongo during Afonso’s reign?
Majority were foreign captives from wars waged against neighboring kingdoms
Afonso sent 410 slaves from wars in 1512.
What was the royal monopoly in the Kongo slave trade?
Afonso aimed to limit enslavement of freeborn Kongos and maintain control over slave trade
Afonso’s rules for trade.
What issue did Afonso raise regarding the enslavement of Kongo women?
Complained about Portuguese buying females for sexual favors
Afonso’s letter to King Manuel I.
What was the significance of Sao Tome during Afonso’s reign?
A commercial center that caused conflict between Afonso and Portuguese traders
Sao Tome’s involvement in slave trade.
What was the impact of the Jaga invasion on Kongo?
Led to large-scale enslavement of freeborn Kongos and economic crisis
Invasion occurred during Alvaro’s reign.
How did Kongo rulers attempt to protect freeborn Kongos from enslavement?
Conducted inquiries into Portuguese trading and issued official orders regulating trade
Examples include Alvaro’s orders and inquiries.
What was the problem faced by Kongo rulers regarding the slave trade?
Needed to obtain slaves for trade while protecting their own freeborn population
Afonso’s dilemma in the Atlantic network.
Fill in the blank: The majority of slaves exported from Kongo during Afonso’s reign were _______.
Foreign captives
True or False: Afonso I wrote a letter to King Manuel I complaining about the enslavement of Kongo women.
True
What was the Kongo’s currency used for domestic expenses?
Nzimbu shells
How did Kongo conduct international transactions?
In slaves, as they were reduced to slaves by Portuguese merchants
Slaves served as a form of currency.
What currency did Afonso request a loan in 1540 to purchase slaves?
5,000 cruzados
Portuguese currency
By the early 17th century, who were increasingly looked to cover foreign imports in Kongo?
Freeborn Kongos
What major centre for the trade in people emerged in Kongo during the 17th century?
Soyo
In 1641, who declared Soyo’s independence?
Count Daniel da Silva
What were slaves used for in Kongo during the 17th century?
- Payments
- Military support
- Status symbols
What led to the enslavement of freeborn Kongolese in the early 17th century?
Manipulation of laws concerning crimes
True or False: Enslavement of freeborn Kongos was uncommon in the early 17th century.
False
What was one reason for the enslavement of freeborn Kongolese mentioned in Dapper’s account?
Failing to show ‘due respect and obedience’ to the king
Fill in the blank: Entire villages could face enslavement if some of their members were found guilty of ______.
Certain crimes
What crime involving elite men could lead to enslavement of freeborn Kongolese?
Adultery with their daughters, wives, nieces, or concubines
What custom allowed elite men in Kongo to acquire many women?
Having one legal wife and many concubines
What was a consequence of factional struggles in the 17th century for freeborn Kongos?
Increased enslavement as punishment for treason
How did the death of Alvaro II in 1614 impact Kongo society?
Led to dynastic conflicts and enslavement of freeborn Kongos
What event marked a turning point for Kongo society in the 17th century?
The civil wars from 1665 to 1709
What did the civil wars in Kongo lead to regarding the state’s ability to protect free Kongos?
Collapse of the state
What did Kongo factions require that increased the demand for slaves during civil wars?
Munitions and imported materials
True or False: Non-combatant members of the elite were exempt from arbitrary enslavement.
False
What did Antonio I prepare to do in 1665 to face an invading Portuguese army?
Raise a slave army
What did the aftermath of the civil war in 1709 result in for Kongo?
Exporting more than 30,000 subjects
What happened to elite families’ practices regarding slaves after the civil wars?
Continued to keep large retinues of slaves
Fill in the blank: The instability in Kongo during the 1700s led to endemic ______.
Factional fighting
What was a significant change in the treatment of freeborn Kongos during the 1700s?
Ignoring the policy of not enslaving freeborn Kongos
