Trans-Saharan Trade Quiz

Trans-Saharan Trade

• Trans-Saharan trade existed between North African and West African traders (Mali, Songhai, etc).
• Trade began in prehistoric times, peaking around the 8th century and ending in the 17th century.
• Trade was principally between North Africa, West Africa and Europeans.
• The Carthaginians controlled parts of North Africa and the Middle East, acting as intermediaries in the trade.
• The Berbers organized caravans and provided security.
• Camels replaced pack animals due to their resilience in desert conditions.
• Trade routes included north-south, west-east, and southern routes.
• Key trading centers emerged, such as Timbuktu, Goa, Kano.
• Trade involved bartering and gold coins were used.

Commodities of Trade

• Gold and salt were the primary commodities.
• Other commodities exchanged included slaves, copper tools, beads, cloth, dried figs, dates, cowry shells, etc.
• Gold and cowries were used as legal tender.

Factors that Supported Trade

• Camel introduction in North Africa.
• Demand for gold in Muslim countries and Europe.
• Development of centralized states in West Africa.
• Spread of Islam and diplomatic ties.

Factors that Led to the Fall of Trade

• Slave trade abolition by European nations.
• Oasis drying up.
• Introduction of European salt.
• Moroccan invasion of West Africa and regional instability.
• European colonization and exploitation.

Early European Contact with Nigeria

• The Portuguese first visited Benin in 1485-86.
• Early exploration was motivated by trade, Christianity, and expansion.
• Europeans sought to convert the Oba of Benin to Christianity, but it failed.
• Europeans were frustrated by the Benin people and withdrew.
• Key reasons for European penetration to Nigeria include industrial revolution, transatlantic trade, competition with other colonial powers for resources, trading activities and territorial expansion.
• Explorers like Mungo Park and Hugh Clapperton visited the region.

Early European Merchants and Missionaries

• Merchants like Taubman Goldie and John Holt opened up new trade routes.
• Missionaries like Mary Slessor, Birch Freeman, Samuel Bill, Henry Townsend, and Ajayi Crowther spread Christianity and provided social services.
• Key challenges faced by missionaries included climatic issues, language barriers, cultural conflicts, and financial problems

Problems Faced by Christian Missionaries

• Unsuitable climate conditions.
• Language barrier challenges.
• Misconceptions about Christian culture.
• Despised African culture.
• Health problems.
• Financial difficulties.
• Insufficient Christian literature, and transportation problems.

Slave Trade

• Slave trade was an established business that involved the capturing, selling, and transportation, buying and selling of African people.
• Trans-Saharan trade involved some forms of slavery.
• The transatlantic slave trade involved the transportation of millions of Africans to the Americas and various parts of the world.
• Various factors led to the abolition of the slave trade and the eventual end of the slave trade.

Legitimate Trade

• Legitimate trade emerged after the abolition of the slave trade.
• It was a new economic relationship between Europeans and Africans based on commerce.
• Palm oil and kola nut were significant commodities in legitimate trade.
• British influence and policies developed around trade.

Colonization of Nigerian Territories by the British

• The British, along with other Europeans, engaged in trade and exploration in Nigeria.
• The British utilized methods, such as direct rule, indirect rule and military conquests, to colonize Nigerian territories.
• The British established territories and administration which led to the eventual British colonization.

Administration of Nigerian Territories by the British

• British administration of Nigeria was characterized by indirect rule or direct rule.
• The British established Lagos as a British colony in 1961.

Evolution of the Nigerian State

• Nigeria's history includes various pre-colonial empires.
• The British conquest of Nigeria was a complex period involving wars, treaties, and company rule.
• The Berlin Conference, the role of the Royal Niger Company, and the British system of administration shaped the evolution of Nigeria.