Portugal’s expanse into Kongo in 1480 lead to various issues concerning diverse African cultures and racial stereotypes. Transatlantic trade began in the 1500s in West Africa, however, it was already under the influence of Portugal since 1480. When Portugal began trading with African countries, they initiated the largest movement of slavery in the history of mankind. With an estimate of 12.5 million slaves shipped away from their home to colonies, The cultural effect of Portugal’s integration in Africa influenced various cultural controversies in African societies such as local wars and greed for slaves. Brazilian colonies and other American colonies were developing in the “New World” at a rapid speed. Portuguese coffee and sugar plantations
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However, because of the pressing need for slaves, Portugal was unsure whether to treat Afonso’s empire (Kongo) as an ally or exploit them for slaves. The settles of Sao Tome, a Portuguese colony, was confident in their choice. “They even promoted local wars of resistance to Afonso in order to increase supply of captives.” This established a chain of wars between various African countries to sell more slaves to the Portuguese and, in the future, to other other European countries. As the slave trade began to progress at a colossal rate, due to increasing demand from new European colonies, the amount of wars driven by slavery only worsened, leading to hundreds of wars within various African countries and their people. While some kingdoms profited off of these wars, other dynasties did not, such as the kingdom of Kongo: “Authority in Kongo collapsed and the kingdom disintegrated into rival regional factions, each fighting one another in the pursuit of war-captives.” During the Slave Trade, Portugal created another slaving station in Angola to try to supply the demand of slaves that were needed for the colonies. In Chapter 14 of the History of Africa by Kevin Shillington, it states, “The people of Angolan interior continued to be dominated by the wars of the slave trade until well into the nineteenth century.” The intervention of West African societies lead to the setback of their culture and development. However, this was not the only consequence of the Slave Trade, considering their setback of their culture and development due to the Europeans included the spread racial stereotypes and discrimination against African people and their
However, because of the pressing need for slaves, Portugal was unsure whether to treat Afonso’s empire (Kongo) as an ally or exploit them for slaves. The settles of Sao Tome, a Portuguese colony, was confident in their choice. “They even promoted local wars of resistance to Afonso in order to increase supply of captives.” This established a chain of wars between various African countries to sell more slaves to the Portuguese and, in the future, to other other European countries. As the slave trade began to progress at a colossal rate, due to increasing demand from new European colonies, the amount of wars driven by slavery only worsened, leading to hundreds of wars within various African countries and their people. While some kingdoms profited off of these wars, other dynasties did not, such as the kingdom of Kongo: “Authority in Kongo collapsed and the kingdom disintegrated into rival regional factions, each fighting one another in the pursuit of war-captives.” During the Slave Trade, Portugal created another slaving station in Angola to try to supply the demand of slaves that were needed for the colonies. In Chapter 14 of the History of Africa by Kevin Shillington, it states, “The people of Angolan interior continued to be dominated by the wars of the slave trade until well into the nineteenth century.” The intervention of West African societies lead to the setback of their culture and development. However, this was not the only consequence of the Slave Trade, considering their setback of their culture and development due to the Europeans included the spread racial stereotypes and discrimination against African people and their