History - Junior Secondary 3 - Nature of early European contacts with Nigeria

TERM: 1^ST TERM

WEEK: 5 and 6

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 3

AGE: 14 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: History

TOPIC:  Nature of early European contacts with Nigeria

Early Europeans that first came to Nigeria

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to

1. ) Discuss the nature of the early European contacts with Nigeria
2. ) Narrate briefly the early Europeans that first came to Nigeria

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Identification, explanation, questions and answers, demonstration, story-telling, videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Basic History for Junior Secondary Schools 3 by Ijeoma E.O

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:

WEEK 5

NOTE

NATURE OF EARLY EUROPEAN CONTACTS WITH NIGERIA
The early European contact with Nigeria, beginning in the late 15th century, was primarily driven by economic, exploratory, and religious motivations, with the Portuguese being the first Europeans to arrive on the West African coast. Here are key aspects of the nature of these early interactions:

1. Trade and Economic Exchange

• Initial Focus on Trade Goods: The Portuguese, and later the Dutch, British, and French, were primarily interested in trading for West African goods such as gold, ivory, spices, and later, slaves. These items were highly valuable in European markets, driving further exploration and trade agreements.
• Introduction of New Goods: Europeans brought goods like guns, textiles, beads, metalware, and luxury items, which were traded for African products. This exchange affected local economies and introduced West African societies to European manufactured goods, altering consumption patterns and demands.
• Establishment of Trading Posts: Europeans set up trading posts along the coast, such as in Lagos and Calabar, to facilitate trade. These posts eventually became centers of European influence and commerce.

2. The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

• Shift from Commodities to Human Trade: By the 16th century, the European demand for labor in the New World led to a focus on the trade of enslaved Africans. Nigeria’s coastal areas, such as the Niger Delta, became significant centers for the slave trade, with European traders capturing and transporting Africans to the Americas.
• Partnership with Coastal Kingdoms: European traders often collaborated with powerful coastal kingdoms like Benin and Oyo, who provided captives in exchange for goods and weapons. This trade fostered complex relations, as some African rulers benefited from the exchange while others resisted.
• Human Impact: The slave trade had profound impacts, leading to population loss, social disruption, and the destabilization of communities, effects that were deeply felt across West Africa.

3. Cultural and Religious Influence

• Introduction of Christianity: European missionaries, particularly in the 19th century, introduced Christianity, establishing missions and schools to spread religious teachings and Western education. This missionary presence had a significant impact on Nigerian society, especially in the southern regions.
• Cultural Exchange and Adaptation: The early contact introduced new ideas and practices, some of which were adopted or blended into local cultures. However, European influence in terms of religion and education was often met with resistance, especially in areas with strong Islamic influence in the north.

4. Political Influence and Manipulation

• Formation of Alliances and Manipulation of Local Politics: Europeans forged alliances with local rulers, offering support in conflicts or providing goods in exchange for favorable trade terms. These alliances often deepened European influence in local governance, as they supported certain leaders over others to secure trade advantages.
• Pre-colonial Foundations of Control: The relationships established through trade and alliances laid early foundations for colonial control, as European powers gradually transitioned from trade relationships to political domination by the 19th century.

5. Exploration and Cartography

• Geographic Exploration of Nigeria’s Interior: European explorers documented and mapped regions of West Africa that were previously uncharted by Europeans. This mapping served future colonial interests by providing knowledge of resources, trade routes, and local governance structures.
• Scientific and Botanical Studies: Explorers and missionaries often studied Nigerian flora, fauna, and cultural practices, which later informed European attitudes towards Africa and justified colonial intervention under the guise of "civilizing missions."

EVALUATION:

1. What were the main economic motivations behind early European contact with Nigeria?
2. How did the Portuguese establish their initial trading relationships on the Nigerian coast?
3. In what ways did the trans-Atlantic slave trade shape interactions between Europeans and Nigerian communities?
4. Describe how European goods influenced local economies and social structures in Nigeria.
5. How did early European contact pave the way for eventual colonial control over Nigeria?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively

WEEK 6

NOTE

EARLY EUROPEANS THAT FIRST CAME TO NIGERIA
The early Europeans who first arrived in Nigeria were primarily Portuguese explorers and traders, followed by the Dutch, British, and French. Here’s an overview of these early European groups and their roles:

1. Portuguese (Late 15th Century)
   • Arrival: The Portuguese were the first Europeans to explore the West African coast, reaching the Nigerian coastline in the late 15th century around 1472. Led by explorers like João de Santarém and Pêro Escobar, they aimed to establish trade routes and find new sources of gold and other valuable goods.
   • Trade: The Portuguese set up trading posts along the coast to exchange goods such as textiles, beads, and firearms for local products like ivory, pepper, and gold. Eventually, they became involved in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, exchanging goods for enslaved people who were sent to the Americas.
2. Dutch (17th Century)
   • Presence and Influence: The Dutch arrived in the early 17th century, primarily to compete with the Portuguese and establish their own trade networks. They operated mainly through their powerful Dutch West India Company.
   • Trade Activities: Like the Portuguese, the Dutch traded goods such as firearms, mirrors, and fabrics for West African resources. They also became involved in the slave trade, establishing relationships with local rulers and creating trading networks in the Niger Delta region.
3. British (Late 16th Century, Expanding in the 18th Century)
   • Initial Contact: British merchants and explorers arrived later in the 16th century, with trade relations expanding significantly in the 18th century. They set up trading posts in areas like Lagos and the Niger Delta, focusing on the slave trade until the early 19th century.
   • Expansion: The British gradually established themselves as dominant traders, especially as they began to abolish the slave trade and focus on palm oil, a valuable commodity for industrialization in Britain. By the 19th century, British missionaries and explorers were heavily active in Nigeria, setting the stage for eventual colonial occupation.
4. French (18th Century)
   • Limited Influence: The French had a smaller presence in Nigeria compared to other parts of West Africa. However, they engaged in trade activities along the coast, mainly competing with the British and Dutch.
   • Trade Focus: The French traded goods similar to those of other European powers and were also involved in the trans-Atlantic slave trade to a limited extent in Nigeria.

EVALUATION:

1. Who were the first Europeans to make contact with Nigeria, and what were their primary goals?
2. How did the Portuguese establish trade along the Nigerian coast in the 15th century?
3. What role did the Dutch play in Nigerian trade during the 17th century, and how did they compete with other European powers?
4. Why did British interest in Nigeria increase in the 18th century, and what commodities did they focus on after the slave trade?
5. How did early European trade practices influence the relationships between local Nigerian rulers and European powers?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively