Evaluate the factors that promoted and inhibited the spread of Islam in Africa in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the factors that promoted and inhibited the spread of Islam in Africa during the named timeframe, weighing up the importance or otherwise of those factors. Candidates may offer equal coverage of “promoted” and “inhibited” or there may be more focus on one. Some factors may have aspects of both; however, the candidates’ evaluation must feature both aspects. Candidates may refer to the role of traders in spreading the Islam throughout the continent as well as the fact that the those who carried its message were Africans or from the Middle East and were therefore not associated with any invading power. A rise in Islamic consciousness in the latter part of the 20th century as well as the wealth and power of Islamic states and the appeal of Islamic values also served to encourage increased numbers of adherents. However, the expansion of Christianity inhibited the spread of Islam and several Western powers devoted significant resources to convert large numbers of Africans. Conversion to Christianity also provided substantial economic benefits as well as access to education and the support of colonial governments.