Evaluate the role of colonial expansion in the decline of the East African slave trade in the 19th century.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the role of colonial expansion in the decline of the East African slave trade in the 19th century. Candidates may refer to how the British supported the Sultan in inviting the Indian Banyan traders from India to settle in Zanzibar with the hope of ending slave trading. They may refer to the banning of the slave trade as a result of various laws passed, such as the Act of Parliament of 1807 in Britain. Both the Moresby and Hamerton treaties played an important part in ending the slave trade. By 1833, slavery was made illegal throughout the British Empire. By 1873, the British forced Sultan Barghash to bring the slave trade to an end. Other relevant factors may be addressed such as the introduction of legitimate commerce, the role of missionaries and the role of the humanitarian movement. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates make an appraisal of the role of colonial expansion in the decline of the East African slave trade in the 19th century This question was selected by a number of candidates. A lack of understanding of the demands of the question and/or a lack of knowledge led to poor results in many cases.