Economics 172 Issues in African Economic Development

Economics 172Issues in African Economic Development Lecture 16 March 14, 2006

Outline: • Introduction to Part II of the course • Slavery in African history • Impacts of slavery on African economic development (Nunn 2005) Economics 172

Schematic Outline of the Course Economics 172

Slavery in African history • Large numbers of Africans were forcibly enslaved during the 15th-19th centuries, starting with the Portuguese in Congo in the 15th century Economics 172

Map of Africa Economics 172

Slavery in African history • Large numbers of Africans were forcibly enslaved during the 15th-19th centuries, starting with the Portuguese in Congo in the 15th century Atlantic Ocean trade 11-13 million Sahara, Red Sea trade 5 million Indian Ocean trade 2 million TOTAL 18-20 million Economics 172

Slavery in African history • At the peak of the trade in the 18th century, huge numbers of Africans were being captured every year: # people / year (range) 1450-1600 2,500-7,441 1601-1700 13,324-18,680 1701-1800 61,300-97,469 Late 1800s 33,300-50,230 Economics 172

Why was Africa targeted by slave traders? • Location relatively close to the Americas Economics 172

Why was Africa targeted by slave traders? • Location relatively close to the Americas • Pre-existing internal slave networks: in the late 1800s, 18-44% of Africans were slaves of other Africans (based on early European colonial surveys) Economics 172

Why was Africa targeted by slave traders? • Location relatively close to the Americas • Pre-existing internal slave networks • Less military might (e.g., compared to Asia) Economics 172

Why was Africa targeted by slave traders? • Location relatively close to the Americas • Pre-existing internal slave networks • Less military might (e.g., compared to Asia) • Others? Economics 172

What impact of the slave trade on society? • Lower population density  less urbanization Economics 172

What impact of the slave trade on society? • Lower population density  less urbanization • Strategies to avoid capture  lower output Economics 172

What impact of the slave trade on society? • Lower population density  less urbanization • Strategies to avoid capture  lower output • Shorter time horizons  less investment • Efforts diverted into slaving, away from production Economics 172

What impact of the slave trade on society? • Lower population density  less urbanization • Strategies to avoid capture  lower output • Shorter time horizons  less investment • Efforts diverted into slaving, away from production • Radical changes in the nature of political power Economics 172

What impact of the slave trade on society? • Lower population density  less urbanization • Strategies to avoid capture  lower output • Shorter time horizons  less investment • Efforts diverted into slaving, away from production • Radical changes in the nature of political power • Breakdown of social cooperation, cultural changes Economics 172

Whiteboard #1 Economics 172

Economics 172 Issues in African Economic Development