Observation

This was a fairly popular question and most candidates avoided the question. The candidates that attempted the questions failed to highlight on the fact that geographical factors posed a barrier. Their performance was not good as they didn’t really understand it. The candidates were expected to provide the following answers to the question.

(i) The trade was profitable.
(ii) The people did not have any other form of revenue to replace the slave trade with.
(iii)The legitimate commerce which was introduced to replace the trade would take long time to create wealth for them.
(iv) The geographical conditions were not favorable for the cultivation of the new crops.
(v) The continued participation of some European merchants encouraged them
(vi)They feared that the abolition of the slave trade would eventually lead to the end of slavery and source of cheap labour.
(vii) The middlemen and merchant princes were afraid of losing their position in the trade, hence the continuation.
(viii) Ownership of slaves enhanced social and political status of chiefs and wealthy people e.g. drinks (spirits), mirrors, bowler hats , walking   sticks,  etc.