ancient african history

When we hear about "The Slave Trade" (West Africa 1500s-1807), we hear ONLY about the Slave Trade like there was no other trade before it.  Please review the  Power Point on Legitimate Trade.   Download Power Point on Legitimate Trade. Describe the ORIGINAL Indigenous LEGITIMATE trade (1400-1526) between the Africans and the Europeans (what were the original products traded that included some African slaves, WHO controlled the Trade & HOW? BEFORE it was transformed by the Portuguese into "The Slave Trade" that fueled the Plantation Complex that soon dominated the New World (1513 Brazil then transported to the rest of Spanish controlled South America, The British, Spanish, French, Dutch Caribbean, and North America). 

There was a trade relationship between the Africans and the European traders which referred to Africa as the Dark Continent or as some type of mystery place by the early explorers who consisted mainly of scientists and geographers. Portugal was the very first European state to sail the coast of Africa and make trade contact with the Africans along the coast which was called the Cape of Good Hope in the Indian Ocean. Once they established trade, gifts had to be given to the local ruler where the rules of trade were negotiated by that ruler. The trader lived on the compound and was governed by what was called the “Royal Appointee/Father”. This

Before colonialization began, Africans had long been trading and bartering with one another, however after colonialization, all of this came to an end where any trade that was to be conducted had to be done only with the Europeans. French colonies had to be done with the French, Portuguese with Portuguese, and British with British. All African countries could do is produce goods for European countries

or the Africans • 1. Gifts had to be given to the Local Ruler • 2. Must Negotiate The Terms of Trade • 3. Stranger Father Reciprocity • A. Local Ruler assigns Trader to be controlled by one his supporters • B. The Trader/”Stranger” lives in the compound with his Royal Appointee/“Father” who is responsible for his every move (if he does something wrong it’s the “father’s” fault; if something is done to him, it’s the father’s fault); The Stranger cannot move freely in the community • C. The “Father” advertises the “Stranger’s” wares and finds sources of the trade items the “Stranger” is searching and brings customers to the Stranger. • D. Once the “Stranger” has sold all of his wares/bought all of his raw materials he pays the “Father” 10% • E. The “Stranger: boards his ship and leaves • F. The Process is repeated each time he returns to this community • 4. Local Royal Retainers Benefited by Royal Control of Trade (Short Answer #1)

400 words

1. Starting in 1400 what was the Trade Relationship between the African and European Traders? 

2. From 1400-1526 What Products did the Europeans want to Buy from Africans.   

3. From 1400-1526 What Products did the Africans want to Buy from Europeans? 

4.  From 1400-1526 HOW did the West Africans CONTROL the Trade?  EXPLAIN the Strategy/Tactic of  Stranger Father Reciprocity. AND HOW did Stranger Father Reciprocity Create West African Trade Diaspora?