Show the contribution of pre-colonial trade to the rise/formation of pre-colonial states in Africa.

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Pre-Colonial Trade and the Rise of African States

Pre-colonial trade involved a systems of exchange based on barter (goods for goods), before the arrival of colonial powers. 

Major trade systems in pre-colonial Africa included the Trans-Saharan trade and the East African Long-Distance Trade. 

These exchange relations connected various African regions and enabled the exchange of goods such as gold, ivory, salt, and iron tools.

Sometimes some valuable items like gold, silver, ivory or salt were used as a medium of exchange basing on their value in their respective times.

For example, in the Trans-Saharan trade (3000 BC to 2000 BC), traders from Egypt crossed the Sahara Desert to regions like Mali and Ghana to obtain valuable commodities such as gold and ivory.

On the other hand pre-colonial states were political entities occupying well-defined territories governed by kings or queens, and defended by militaries. 

Many of these states emerged during the 18th century due to several factors such as agriculture, trade, iron technology, and military conquests.

How Pre-Colonial Trade Contributed to the Rise of African States:

1. Growth of Agriculture:

The Trans-Saharan trade For example, supplied iron tools like hand hoes, axes and knives, increasing efficiency in the cultivation of kola nuts among the forest states.

Increased food supply supported population growth and the rise of powerful states like Oyo, Benin, and Songhai.


2. Supply of Weapons:

Trans Saharan trade brought weapons like guns, swords, spears, and bows, strengthening armies. 

These military forces protected communities and expanded territories, giving rise to states like Ghana and Mali.

Guns from Europe reached the Western Sudanic states through North Africa.


3. Rise of Strong Leaders:

Leaders like Mansa Musa of Mali, Mirambo of Nyamwezi and Mkwawa of Hehe, were once prominent traders in Trans Sahara and East African long distance trades.

The wealth they accumulated from these trading activities, influenced and helped them rise to power and eventually forming centralized and powerful states like Mali, Nyamwezi and Hehe empires.


4. Population Growth and Urbanization:

Migrations to the trade centres increased number of people, contributing to the expansion of settlements and services.

These centers like Timbuktu, Walata, Gao and Taghaza, attracted many people from various regions. 

As these areas grew, they developed into major towns, such as Niani becoming the heart of Mali Empire.



5. Spread of Iron Technology:

Iron-smelting skills from North Africa reached the Western Sudan through Trans Saharan trade. 

This technology became a valuable asset in the improvement of security simplifying  production activities. 

Better tools and weapons such as iron swords, axes, arrows, spears and armors strengtherned states like Songhai, Benin, and Mali.

6. Spread of Civilization:

Advanced knowledge from Egypt, such as the calendar, writing systems, and astronomy, spread through Trans Saharan trade. 

This led to the founding of institutions like the University of Timbuktu in Mali and Fez in Morocco, promoting the emergence of specialized scholars who were important pillars in state development.

7. Spread of Islam:

Islam was spread through trade routes from North Africa to West Africa by the Arab traders. 

It promoted unity through a shared language (Arabic) and legal systems (Sharia). States like the Sokoto Caliphate rose through Islamic influence and jihad movements led by Uthman Don Fodio.


Conclusion:

Pre-colonial African states developed independently and were shaped by internal factors like trade, leadership, and technology. 

However, some states fell due to;
  • Succession conflicts like the case of Mali, 
  • Foreign invasions like the Almoravids who invaded Ghana contributing to its collapse, 
  • And eventually the European colonialism in the 19th century, which replaced these states with colonial governments.


Related topics;

Development of Social and Political systems in Pre-colonial Africa.

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