During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Africa played a complex and multifaceted role in the global economy, largely influenced by the transatlantic slave trade and European colonial ambitions. Here are key aspects of Africa's role during this period:
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Slave Trade: One of the most significant aspects of Africa's role in the global economy during this time was the involvement in the slave trade. African societies engaged in the capture and sale of enslaved people, who were then transported primarily to the Americas. While enslaved people were also sold to the Middle East (and parts of Asia) for labor, the transatlantic slave trade became a central part of the economy for various West African kingdoms. It is essential to note that this trade significantly impacted African societies and demographics.
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Trading Commodities: African kingdoms were rich in resources that were highly sought after in global markets. Gold and ivory were particularly valuable commodities exported from West Africa to Europe and the Middle East. The Kingdom of Kongo and other regional powers were involved in trade networks that exchanged these goods for European textiles, firearms, and other manufactured products, thus integrating into early global trade networks.
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Influence of European Powers: During this era, European nations, particularly Portugal and later others like the Dutch and the British, established trade routes and colonies in Africa. Portugal, which was dominant in the early period of exploration, controlled significant parts of Africa’s coastal trade and helped shape the dynamics of the slave trade. The economic activities in African regions were often facilitated, and sometimes mandated, by European interests.
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Crafts and Production: While the large-scale trade in enslaved people was the most notorious, Africa also exported various other goods. Local artisans in different regions produced pottery, textiles, and other crafts that were traded regionally and sometimes found their way into long-distance trade networks, although these were less impactful than the slave trade and resource exports.
Overall, during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Africa was integral to the global economy through the export of slaves, gold, ivory, and other goods, mainly under the influence and control of European powers seeking to exploit these resources through emerging transcontinental trade networks.