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.

Question

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. Which option is correct

Answer 1

The most accurate option among the four presented is:

"The Kingdom of Kongo lost control of the slave trade, while the Swahili coast lost its power to extract resources."

In the seventeenth century, the Kingdom of Kongo initially engaged in trade with the Portuguese, but over time, the region became more embroiled in the transatlantic slave trade, which ultimately led to a loss of control as rival powers and local leaders became involved in the capture and sale of slaves. The political structure of Kongo weakened as a result, and their previous prominence diminished.

Simultaneously, the Swahili coast, which included city-states such as Kilwa, Mombasa, and Zanzibar, experienced a decline in its economic power. The involvement of the Portuguese (and later British and Omani powers) disrupted traditional trade networks, leading to a loss of their ability to extract and control trade resources, particularly ivory and spices.

Both regions faced significant transformations and challenges due to their engagement in global trade, but the specific outcomes were distinct.