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The Gold Coast and the African Diaspora: Routledge African Studies

Derek Cook

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Published in Identity Spirit And Freedom In The Atlantic World: The Gold Coast And The African Diaspora (Routledge African Studies)

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The Gold Coast, the present-day Republic of Ghana, was a major center of the African Diaspora. The transatlantic slave trade brought millions of Africans to the Gold Coast, and their descendants played a significant role in the development of the region. This book explores the impact of the African Diaspora on the Gold Coast, from the early days of the slave trade to the present day.

Identity, Spirit and Freedom in the Atlantic World: The Gold Coast and the African Diaspora (Routledge African Studies)

by Jimmy Thomson

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4985 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	229 pages

The Early Years of the Slave Trade

The first Europeans to arrive on the Gold Coast were the Portuguese in the 15th century. They were followed by the Dutch, English, and French. These European powers established trading posts along the coast and began to trade with the local Akan people. The Akan people were skilled goldsmiths, and the Europeans were eager to acquire their gold. In exchange for gold, the Europeans offered guns, gunpowder, and other goods.

The slave trade soon became the most important trade on the Gold Coast. The Europeans used enslaved Africans to work on their plantations in the Americas. The slave trade had a devastating impact on the Gold Coast. It led to the depopulation of the region and the destruction of its traditional social and political structures.

The Rise of the African Diaspora

Despite the horrors of the slave trade, the African Diaspora made a significant contribution to the Gold Coast. The descendants of enslaved Africans played a leading role in the development of the region's economy, politics, and culture.

In the 19th century, the Gold Coast became a major center of the African diaspora. Freed slaves from the Americas and the Caribbean returned to the Gold Coast to establish new lives. These returnees brought with them new ideas and skills. They helped to establish schools, churches, and businesses. They also played a leading role in the fight for independence from British colonial rule.

The African Diaspora Today

The African Diaspora continues to play an important role in the Gold Coast. The descendants of enslaved Africans are an integral part of the region's population. They have made significant contributions to the country's economy, politics, and culture. The African Diaspora is a source of strength and pride for the people of the Gold Coast.

The Gold Coast and the African Diaspora: Routledge African Studies is a comprehensive and authoritative study of the impact of the African Diaspora on the Gold Coast. This book is an essential resource for anyone interested in the history and culture of the Gold Coast and the African Diaspora.

Identity, Spirit and Freedom in the Atlantic World: The Gold Coast and the African Diaspora (Routledge African Studies)

by Jimmy Thomson

5 out of 5