In their effort to expand the colony of Angola, the Portuguese fought against neighboring African kingdoms. How these wars were fought and what military tactics were used.
This is by far one of the most respectful, transparent and reliable essays on colonial warfare pertaining to this period of African history that I’ve ever read.
As someone who descends from Italians and Portuguese families I cannot express the satisfaction and appreciation I feel at such a competent representation of this historical period and all national, sub national, supra national and international agents and events involved.
The reference to envoys needs to be emphasized as it makes it clear that in the early days of their contacts with Europeans the African kingdoms were powerful enough to be recognized as having international standing equal to that of the European kingdoms. This history had to be suppressed and concealed beneath the mythological and “unknown Dark Continent” that justified colonialism in Africa.
Off the top of my head: enslaving Christians was a no-go, but keeping slaves after they converted was mostly deemed ok. Do bear in mind that during the 17th century certain religious orders and individuals began to push back against owning Christian slaves (which might have been most of them at the time) under any circumstances, although it took a while for a full anti-slavery position/faction to develop.
This is by far one of the most respectful, transparent and reliable essays on colonial warfare pertaining to this period of African history that I’ve ever read.
As someone who descends from Italians and Portuguese families I cannot express the satisfaction and appreciation I feel at such a competent representation of this historical period and all national, sub national, supra national and international agents and events involved.
The reference to envoys needs to be emphasized as it makes it clear that in the early days of their contacts with Europeans the African kingdoms were powerful enough to be recognized as having international standing equal to that of the European kingdoms. This history had to be suppressed and concealed beneath the mythological and “unknown Dark Continent” that justified colonialism in Africa.
Cool article! Had no idea how many consequences would follow from not having cavalry around the year 1600.
What was the Catholic Churches position on slavery during that period?
Off the top of my head: enslaving Christians was a no-go, but keeping slaves after they converted was mostly deemed ok. Do bear in mind that during the 17th century certain religious orders and individuals began to push back against owning Christian slaves (which might have been most of them at the time) under any circumstances, although it took a while for a full anti-slavery position/faction to develop.