The Swahili coast of East Africa and the Kingdom of Kongo experienced different impacts as a result of their roles in global trade during the seventeenth century.
The Swahili coast, which encompassed modern-day Tanzania, Kenya, and Mozambique, was a vibrant trading hub that had long been involved in Indian Ocean trade networks. However, with the arrival of the Portuguese in the region in the late fifteenth century, the Swahili city-states lost their power and influence. The Portuguese sought to control the lucrative trade in gold, ivory, and spices, and gradually established forts and trading posts along the coast. The Swahili city-states were forced to pay tribute to the Portuguese or face military intervention. This Portuguese dominance disrupted the existing trading networks and led to the disbandment of the Swahili coast as a united and prosperous region.
On the other hand, the Kingdom of Kongo, located in present-day Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, had a different experience in the global trade of the seventeenth century. The kingdom initially engaged in trade with the Portuguese, exchanging goods such as ivory, copper, and slaves for European goods. This trade brought wealth and increased influence to the kingdom, as it became a major supplier of slaves to the Portuguese in exchange for firearms. However, over time, the Portuguese began to bypass the Kingdom of Kongo and establish direct trade relationships with inland regions, diminishing the kingdom's control over the trade in slaves. Additionally, the Portuguese introduced Catholicism to the region, which led to conflicts with traditional religious practices and the destabilization of the kingdom.
Overall, while both the Swahili coast and the Kingdom of Kongo were impacted by their involvement in global trade during the seventeenth century, the Swahili coast disbanded and lost its power to extract resources due to Portuguese dominance. In contrast, the Kingdom of Kongo lost control over the slave trade and faced internal conflicts due to Portuguese intervention.
Compare how the Swahili coast of East Africa and the kingdom of Kongo were impacted by their role in global trade during the seventeenth century.
The Kingdom of Kongo moved north, while the Swahili coast disbanded.
Both the Kingdom of Kongo and the Swahili coast rose to greater prominence due to Portuguese involvement.
The Kingdom of Kongo lost control of the slave trade, while the Swahili coast lost its power to extract resources.
The Kingdom of Kongo and the Swahili coast were destroyed.
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