Page 60 - Volume 1_Go home mzungu Go Home_merged with links
P. 60
Prelude to m’zungu colonisation of Africa
"Veni, Vidi"
" For centuries, Europeans dominated the African continent. The white man arrogated to
himself the right to rule and to be obeyed by the non-white; his mission, he claimed, was
to "civilize" Africa.
Under this cloak, the Europeans robbed the continent of vast riches and inflicted
unimaginable suffering on the African people.”
Kwame Nkrumah 35
Wikipedia
***** ***** *****
A Summary
The Age of Discovery
The period 15th - 17th centuries saw a period of European overseas exploration facilitated
by technological advances (magnetic compass; ship design). This facilitated transfer of good
between hemispheres.
The Age of Imperialism
New trans-oceanic routes helped to put European powers in control of most of the planet.
The 1st European Imperial Age - Iberian powers
◦ Principally focussed on the Americas
The 2nd European Imperial Age - Northern European Powers
◦ European hegemony expanded into Africa, Asia and the Pacific
ɡ
̩
m'zuŋ u exploration of Africa
15th century saw Portuguese sailors along the western and eastern coasts of Africa.
16th century English merchant adventurers started trading in West Africa.
17th century saw settlements established by a number of European nations. (e.g.
Netherlands, France, Sweden, Denmark)
A succession of English Merchant Companies were given monopolies over trade with
Africa. One such, The Royal African Company of England, transported c 200,000 slaves over
a 70-year period with possibly 20% dying en route.
The African Company of Merchants Trading to Africa, which was established in the
mid-18th century was funded by an annual grant approved by Parliament.
