Essay On European Weapons

European weapons and innovations were ineffective during combat in Africa, causing European traders to focus more on respecting native African customs. The terrain and physical structure of African nations, rendered European weapons useless during the attempted conquest of African kingdoms. Although firearms and cannons had a revolutionary impact on the battlefield while fighting less advanced societies, crossbows and pikes had to be used in African wars. Following a long series of wars, europeans were never able to conquer the kingdoms of Angola. Multiple military failures to conquer African nations caused Europeans to use a more diplomatic strategy to ally with foreign nations. During an annual slave buying trip to the Whydah kingdom in west Africa, English merchants landed on the coast and were greeted by noblemen. The King of Whydah invited them to see him, which was customary for all ship captains. The journal written by Thomas Phillips, an English merchant, explains that they visited him the first night …show more content…
After many wars and improvements to new weapons, Europeans were very well prepared to use weapons during battles at sea and on land. While in China Portuguese diplomats believed that they had an advantage over Chinese governments and turned from negotiations to the attempted conquest of Asian maritime. As in the Inca nation superior technology made Europeans feel invincible and allowed them to think that they did not have to respect leaders. In order to gain diplomatic relations with the Chinese government, a governor of a Portuguese colony sent Tome Pires to negotiate in China. While on their journey to Beijing, the capital of China, The crew of Tomes ship was disrespectful to Local Chinese Officials in many ways: “for example, building a stone fort at the mouth of the Canton River and hanging of of his crew on Chinese