Africa.. essays

Africa.. essays Africas Resistance to the Portuguese The African history has been affected tremendously due to the influence of some European countries. Portugal, who probably had the greatest impact on the continent, was not shy in invading what they thought to be profitable circumstances. One of these areas that they profited from was the kingdom of Kongo. Kongo was a major Bantu-speaking kingdom astride the Congo River in west-central Africa, probably founded in the 14th century. It was governed by a king, the manikongo, whose economic power was based upon trade in ivory, hides, slaves, and a shell currency of western Africa. Within a few years after the Portuguese first encountered the kingdom in 1484, the sixth manikongo, Nzinga Mbemba, later Alfonso 1, converted to Christianity and extended diplomatic and economic relations with Portugal. The agreement soon collapsed, however, as the Portuguese extended their slave-raiding activities. By 1570 the power of the Kongo kingdom had begun to decline, and severe internal tensions had developed. Alfonso I knowing what was going on wrote a series of papers to King Joao III of Portugal. In these papers, Alfonso I pleaded with the king to take away all the corrupt Portuguese from his kingdom. With false assurance from the king of Portugal, he asked to have sent those people of religious and medical backgrounds to help modernize his kingdom. With the corruptness still noticeable in the Kongo, Alfonso I was forced to pass a law stating that ...any white man living in our Kingdoms and wanting to purchase goods in any way should first inform three of our noble men and officials of our court whom we rely upon in this matter... (57). These futile attempts of writing letters to the king were not making any significance. The king of Portugal was money hungry along with the majority of all his servants who worked for him down in Africa. ...

Vasco da Gama

The explorations and accomplishments of Vasco da Gama changed Portugal from a poor nation to one of the worlds greatest powers. His persona and exploits distinguished him as an influential pioneer who helped shape Portugal as a nation for the next 100 years. Vasco da Gama was born sometime in the 1460s near the Portuguese capital of Lisbon. Born into a wealthy and respected family of high-ranking soldiers, Gama also trained to be a soldier, although he was more interested in boats and navigation. When Gama was appointed to man an African slave boat on a small mission, he showed his skills as a navigator and was eventually promoted to captain. Over time, Gama became known as a talented navigator. Gama set out on his most important journey on July 8, 1497, sailing around the Cape of Good Hope to find a sea route to India. Portugal was hoping to establish direct trade with India to avoid the high tariffs charged by Arabs, who controlled trade throughout the Mediterranean at the time. The lucrative spice trade would increase Portugals wealth immeasurably. Gama consulted Bartolomeu Dias, the only man to sail around the Cape, about potential dangers and the most efficient way of circling the Cape. Dias advised him to go in a large arc to avoid coastal tides and fierce storms. He also told him, One more thing. Watch your men for mutiny. If my own hadnt rebelled I might have reached India seven years ago (Syme 21) . This advice saved Gama time and prevented possible catastrophe. Gama was at sea for over three months without seeing land, the longest period ever experienced by a crew, and was not threatened by mutiny. This was because he had the trust and respec! t of his crew, without which he would have been unable to complete his mission to find the route to India. Gama set off with four ships, the Sao Gabriel which carried about 240 tons, the Sao Rafael , 200 tons, the Sao Maria,150 to...

Emphasis partners up with MCA - Emphasis

Emphasis partners up with MCA Emphasis partners up with MCA Emphasis is delighted to announce a new business partnership with the Management Consultancies Association (MCA). The MCAs 60 member companies represent around 70 per cent of the UK consulting sector, and is increasingly active as the representative voice of this important and strategic industry. The MCA informs and influences public debate on topical issues, and provides authoritative data on the industry. It commissions research and policy analysis and represents the industry in discussions with Government and other stakeholders. The MCA also facilitates networking and the sharing of best practice within the industry through events, publications and initiatives such as the Young MCA. The partnership with Emphasis will allow the MCA to add to the services it offers its members. Emphasis is the UKs leading organisation dedicated solely to business-writing training and consultancy. The company is behind some of the best business-writing skills in the UK, working with a huge range of organisations including MCA member firms. Alan Leaman, MCA Chief Executive, said: We are delighted that Emphasis have joined with the MCA in this new partnership. We will be working together on a number of projects over the coming year. Rob Ashton, Emphasis Chief Executive, said: This is an exciting project, building on our work with numerous knowledge-based organisations. It provides a real opportunity to help member firms make the most of their intellectual capital. For more information on the MCA, go to www.mca.org.uk.