“The most important impact of the slave trade in Africa was economic.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that the most important impact of the slave trade in Africa was economic. Candidates may refer to economic impacts such as the emergence of wealthy traders such as Tippu Tip, who economically benefitted from the trade; the development of wealthy city states, which were trade centres for the slave trade; and the devastation of traditional economic activities, thus leading to underdevelopment. Other relevant factors may be addressed such as the slave trade leading to both the destruction of kingdoms and groups such as the Bari of Sudan; depopulation; heightened tensions with communities such as the Chagga of Tanganyika; the collaboration of some groups that led to negative social impacts. Candidates may also refer to how able-bodied men from Sudan were exported as slaves to Egypt and Arabia where some worked in plantations. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that the most important impact of the slave trade in Africa was economic. This was a popular question but quite poorly answered. The candidates had little knowledge to offer and what content they did include was of very limited relevance. Some candidates discussed the impact of the trade in America or Europe rather than in Africa.