Final answer:
The events are ordered from earliest to most recent as follows: Origin of the local African slave trade, establishment of the triangular trade pattern, beginning of direct European rule, African independence movements and decolonization, and lagging in African development.
Step-by-step explanation:
To put the events from earliest to most recent, we arrange them in the following order:
- Origin of the local African slave trade
- Establishment of the triangular trade pattern
- Beginning of direct European rule
- African independence movements and decolonization
- Lagging in African development
The origin of the local African slave trade is indeed the earliest, with slavery being integrated into African societies from ancient times. The establishment of the triangular trade pattern occurred later, influenced by European exploration and was solidified by increased demand for slave labor in the New World. Direct European rule followed, as European nations sought to bolster their economic interests in Africa. This eventually led to African independence movements and decolonization in the mid-20th century. Lastly, the lagging in African development has been an ongoing issue, exacerbated by the lasting impacts of the slave trade and colonial exploitation.