Africa has been central to European development since about 1500. Europe was more developed than Africa during the bourgeoning era of global trade. The former was moving toward capitalism, while the latter was transitioning from communalism to feudalism. This unequal state of development gave Europe distinct advantages in its dealings with Africa and other less developed nations in Asia and the Americas. Europe’s more advanced technologies allowed it to pursue its economic and political interests on a global scale. Europe owned and operated most of the world’s seafaring ships, financed long-distance trade, and monopolized knowledge about the international exchange system. Europeans also capitalized on their superior fleets and weapons to control the world’s waterways and capture strategic ports.

The growth of global trade turned Africa into an extension of Europe’s capitalist market. The exploitation of African labor and raw materials was key in this regard. Europeans dictated the rules of trade, determining what Africa could export and import, and for how much. Africans worked in local mines to feed Europe’s growing demand for minerals. Gold and silver were especially important because European powers needed them to produce coins for their growing monetary economies.