The 19th century was a very important period in West African history.It was an age of West African history(1000-1800 A.D.)to modern West Africa.It saw great changes which had far-reaching effects on the religous,social,cultural,economic and political life of the peoples of West Africa.These changes marked the begining of a new age quite different from that which preceded it.Now,what were these changes and what was their significance?
First,before the 19th century,the Ismalic religion had fallen into decline in most of the Sudanese states since the break-up of the Songhai empire following the Moroccan conquest at the end of the 16th century.In the old centres of Islam,non Muslim dynasties held sway.In the forest lands animism or traditional African religion prevailed except in Cacheu and Bissau in Portuguese Guinea where early Portuguese missionary endeavours still survived. But in the 19th century,Islam was re-established as a state religion through a series of revolutions in several states in the Sudan belt.In the forest lands,European missionaries introduced Christianity which began to supplant indigenous African religion in many areas. Second,before the 19th century,the slave trade dominated the coastal trade between West Africa and Europe.Its adverse effects on West Africa-the lose of population particularly of young men and women with its resultant debilitating influence on West African society;the wars which it generated with their consequent retardation of progress; its demoralising and other influence on the people,have been noted.
First,before the 19th century,the Ismalic religion had fallen into decline in most of the Sudanese states since the break-up of the Songhai empire following the Moroccan conquest at the end of the 16th century.In the old centres of Islam,non Muslim dynasties held sway.In the forest lands animism or traditional African religion prevailed except in Cacheu and Bissau in Portuguese Guinea where early Portuguese missionary endeavours still survived. But in the 19th century,Islam was re-established as a state religion through a series of revolutions in several states in the Sudan belt.In the forest lands,European missionaries introduced Christianity which began to supplant indigenous African religion in many areas. Second,before the 19th century,the slave trade dominated the coastal trade between West Africa and Europe.Its adverse effects on West Africa-the lose of population particularly of young men and women with its resultant debilitating influence on West African society;the wars which it generated with their consequent retardation of progress; its demoralising and other influence on the people,have been noted.
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