New sea routes, established during the Age of Exploration, allowed European powers to navigate around Africa, facilitating direct trade with Asia and the Americas. These routes enabled easier access to Africa's resources, such as gold, ivory, and later, slaves, prompting increased European exploration and colonization. As maritime technology improved, nations like Portugal, Spain, and later the British and Dutch intensified their presence on the continent, establishing coastal trading posts and colonies. This expansion significantly influenced Africa's economic and political landscape, leading to prolonged European involvement in the region.
The first part of Africa to receive significant European contact was the northern coast, particularly around modern-day Morocco and the Canary Islands. Portuguese explorers began establishing trade routes and settlements along the West African coast in the 15th century. This marked the beginning of European exploration and colonization in Africa, which expanded further into the continent over the following centuries.
During the 1400s, Europeans developed an interest in gold and other riches from Africa. For many years, travelers brought gold, silver, and ivory across land routes that connected Africa to the Mediterranean region.
The shortest leg of the triangular trade routes was typically the route from Europe to Africa, where European traders exchanged manufactured goods for enslaved Africans.
Trade routes
Important routes in africa are seeeds
The Triangular Trade routes were either from Britain to Africa, America to Britain, America to Africa, or other routes that lead to either Africa, America, or Britain
Hatshepsut
Early Portuguese explorers sailed along the coast of West Africa, primarily navigating the Atlantic Ocean. They aimed to find new trade routes and establish a presence in the region, leading to significant discoveries and the eventual establishment of trade posts. This exploration was crucial in the Age of Discovery, helping to expand European knowledge of Africa and its coastal geography.
There are many trade routes in Africa. These routes were used as routes for trade and often times for travel.
Africa was primarily colonized by European countries, including Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, and Italy. These countries competed for control of territories in Africa to exploit its resources, establish trade routes, and expand their empires. The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 formalized the colonization process and divided Africa among European powers without consideration for Africa's existing borders or indigenous populations.
The Suez Canal, completed in 1869, significantly impacted the scramble for Africa by enhancing European powers' access to Asian markets, making Africa's coastal regions more strategically valuable. Control of the canal allowed for quicker and more efficient maritime trade routes, prompting European nations to intensify their colonial pursuits in Africa to secure trade routes and resources. This led to heightened competition among European powers, resulting in the partitioning of the continent and the establishment of colonial rule across various regions. Ultimately, the canal's strategic importance accelerated imperial ambitions and facilitated the exploitation of Africa's resources.
The Songhai Empire was built by Sunni Ali, a skilled military leader who expanded their territory through conquest and control of trade routes in West Africa. He ruled the empire from 1464 to 1492.