BYU AP World History Part 1

Question

Suppose you had been given this writing prompt: “Evaluate the economic and cultural changes that came to the Kingdom of Kongo from 1450 to 1650.” Write a few sentences of context that would set the scene for your thesis (see the description and the example dealing with Ming/Qing China in the “Context” file in the instructions for this assignment). Make sure it is at least two sentences, includes at least two specific facts, and zeroes in so that it sounds like the next sentence after the context ought to be your thesis (though you do not need to write that).

Answer 1

During the period from 1450 to 1650, the Kingdom of Kongo experienced significant economic and cultural transformations that reshaped its society. One key aspect was the kingdom's thriving trade network, which spanned across the Atlantic Ocean and allowed for the exchange of goods such as ivory, copper, and enslaved individuals. Additionally, Kongo's encounter with European powers, particularly the Portuguese, introduced new ideas, technologies, and religious practices, leading to a blending of cultures and a shift in the kingdom's social and political dynamics. Against this backdrop of economic and cultural flux, it becomes crucial to evaluate the impact of these changes on the Kingdom of Kongo.