CHAP 26 Study q's

Compare the institution of slavery within traditional African society with slavery as practiced in Europe and the New World.

Africa viewed slavery way differently than Europeans did. In Africa, slaves were a private investment, a way to measure wealth as opposed to land. Slaves could also obtain their freedom, receive an honorary position in a new family or clan. Being a slave was NOT hereditary, meaning if a slave had a child that child was not a slave. In Europe, however, they practiced CHATTEL SLAVERY, where slaves were viewed as cargo, slavery was permanent, and slavery was hereditary.

What are some of the enduring elements of African-American culture? What elements of a culture can survive the ordeal and disruption of slavery?

African slaves often tended to preserved African traditions, including languages and religions. In both cases, African combined elements of their own culture with elements of European culture, in order to blend in. African music was also a large part of African culture that they preserved. Slaves introduced African foods to Caribbean and American societies and helped give rise to distinctive hybrid cuisines.

What factors ultimately led to the abolition of the slave trade and ultimately to the abolition of slavery itself?

French and American revolutionists speak out against slavery, encouraging equality. The autobiography of African slave, Olaudah Equiano, becomes a best-seller. Slave revolts also made slavery cost ineffective and dangerous. The cost for slaves began to rise and sugar cost climbed as well.The manufacturing industry became more practical and profitable because workers can buy products. Then the slave trade became abolished and British squadrons helped stopped trade.

What were the objectives of Dutch colonists in South Africa? What kind of colony did they establish?

In 1652, the VOC wanted to have a refreshment station at (Cape of Good Hope). To ensure its viability, they allowed some people to build a farm there. After some time, the colony expanded and more and more farmers came to South Africa. Most of these people were nomadic farmers (called 'Boeren' or 'Trekboeren'). So the established colony was agricultural, and wasn't established on purpose. The Portuguese, however, established their colony at first for the slave trade.

Compare the experience of slaves in the Caribbean, in Brazil, and in North America.

In the Caribbean and South America like Brazil, many slaves fell victim to tropical diseases. On plantations, they faced brutal working conditions and low standards of nutrition and sanitation. Only about 5% went to North America. Diseases there were less threatening, and in some way the conditions were less harsh. Here, slaves reproduced on their own.

Besides religion, what other changes came to sub-Saharan Africa as a result of increased contact with the outside world?

Interaction with European peoples brought change to African society. Trade brought access to European textiles and metal good. New food crops were also introduced to sub-Saharan Africa including maize, peanuts, and most importantly manioc.

In what ways did Islam adapt to the customs and traditions of sub-Saharan Africa? Consider Songhay as an example. Where had strict Islam taken root by the end of the seventeenth century?

Islam blended with indigenous beliefs and customs. The result was a syncretic brand of Islam that not only made a place for African beliefs in spirits and magic but also permitted men and women to socialize with each other. The Fulani, people who observed a strict form of Islam, had settled into cities by the late 17th century.

How was the kingdom of Kongo transformed by its contacts with the Portuguese?

Portuguese merchants established a political and diplomatic relationship with the kings of Kongo. The kings converted to Christianity to establish closer relationships with Portuguese

Compare the decline of Songhay with the decline of the Swahili city-states of east Africa.

The arrival of the Portuguese in the early 1500's the Swahili states fell into a decline from which they never recovered- The Portuguese established trading posts of their own - and led attacks against several Swahili states. The Songhay empire crumbled into a series of small regional kingdoms -and with the arrival of the Europeans and the redirection of trade towards the coastline - the Sudanic Empires ceased to play a prominent role in West African politics

What was the impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade on the societies of west Africa? Consider social, political, and demographic effects.

The impact of the slave trade carried over time and from one African society to the other. Some societies escaped slavery, other flourished and benefited economically, on the whole however Africa suffered serious losses from the slave trade. The population suffered, dropping tremendously. It distorted sex ratios, leaving more women behind. Violence escalated as well.