Impact on Africa Flashcards
Did slavery exist in Africa before Europeans arrived?
Yes, slavery existed in Africa before Europeans arrived. Slaves were taken as prisoners of war, in payment for debt, or as punishment for a crime.
Why did African kings trade slaves?
African kings wanted European goods, especially guns, and were willing to trade slaves for them.
How did the trade of slaves benefit African chiefs?
Selling slaves made many African chiefs very rich, and those with many guns became more powerful, enabling them to capture more slaves.
How did the slave trade increase warfare in West Africa?
Europeans provided firearms, encouraging warfare and political instability. States like Ashanti and Dahomey thrived on slave raids, while weaker societies were destroyed.
What impact did the slave trade have on violence in Africa?
The slave trade led to increased wars, raids, and kidnapping. Tens of thousands could die in battles, making Africa dangerous and unstable.
How did the slave trade affect agriculture in Africa?
The destruction of crops and granaries caused starvation. Fertile farmland was abandoned or destroyed, and people moved to less fertile areas to escape raids and wars.
How many people did Africa lose due to the slave trade?
Africa lost up to 30 million people, most of whom were young, healthy men vital to society.
How did the loss of people impact economic development in Africa?
The loss of people damaged farm production, while cheap European imports destroyed local manufacturing and crafts, halting economic development.
How did the slave trade affect African cloth makers?
African cloth makers could not compete with cheap cloth imported from Britain, leading to the destruction of local crafts.
What was the concept of “White superiority” in Africa?
The slave trade developed the idea of “White superiority” in Africa, contributing to racial hierarchies.
How did slave trading become a way of life in Africa?
Slave trading became the main source of wealth in Africa and was normalized, causing limited social and economic development.
What is one long-term consequence of the slave trade in modern Africa?
The slave trade is the root cause of many modern African problems due to a period of limited social and economic development.
What happened to weaker African societies during the slave trade?
Weaker African societies were destroyed by the raids and wars encouraged by the slave trade.
What happened to people during battles in the slave trade era?
Tens of thousands of people could be slaughtered in a single battle, creating widespread danger and instability.
What happened to the African economy because of the slave trade?
The economy suffered as farm production declined, manufacturing was destroyed, and society relied heavily on slave trading for wealth.
