Question

Use examples from the lessons to answer the following question in two to three complete paragraphs:

To what degree did trade play a role in the development of two of the following African regions until the 15th century? (10 points)

East Africa
West Africa
South Africa

Answer 1

The African regions that were benefited due to the development of trade in the 15 century were:

• West Africa
• South Africa

The European states, specially the Portuguese, and also de Spanish started to sail over the West coast, until reaching the Cape of Good Hope . Permament commercial routes were established on the described itinerary. Gold, spices and silk were brought from Africa to Europe, while the European exported clothing from Flanders and products such as oil and wine from Spain, etc.

Answer 2

Before the 15th century, the region that benefited the most from trade was East Africa, which fell under the islamic world sphere of influence. The islamic rulers established trade with places all over the read sea and the arab sea. They not only traded goods but also people, who they bought and sold as slaves, as the europeans would start doing a few years later.

As for West Africa, before the contact with europeans, the region was dominated by many rivalling kingdoms who traded among themselves. The Mali Empire was perhaps the most important of this kingdoms.