COMPARE AND CONTRAST WESTERN EUROPEAN POLITICAL SYSTEM WITH AFRICAN ONES IN THE 15th CENTURY
COMPARE AND CONTRAST WESTERN EUROPEAN POLITICAL SYSTEM WITH AFRICAN ONES IN THE 15th CENTURY
COMPARISONS
- Both were ruled by kings or queen or chiefs - Example, Mani Nzinga – Congo.
- Function of the king were the same, In protection of citizens and defense for security for
- Both defend or encourage exploitation of serfs by land lords.
- Both encourage trade. Example: In Africa, were engage in long distance trade and In Europe – mercantile trade.
CONTRASTS
- Duration of the modal/ centralized state. In Africa it was in pre- mature but in Europe of was reached, its mature
- Emergence of merchants who challenged the rolling class while in Africa was not so
- In Europe was Broad rolling class (complex) but in Africa was very parochial.
- In Europe states Formation appeared after the turn of Roman empire for disintegration of slavery (and of slavery in Europe in Africa was not produced as a mode of production.
- In Europe 15th , there was great changes in Feudalism, It was highest peak and break down to give room to capitalism.
- Enclosure system in Europe while in Africa was not so
- Highest level of education in Europe than Africa.
Education
This refers to the transmission of skills, knowledge and norms from one generation to the other. By the 15th century Africa had its own education system which was largely informal in character.
The young people acquired knowledge by imitating the behavior of the elders. However it should be noted that there was literacy in pre colonial Africa especially along the Nile River in Egypt and Mali
Religion
There is strong evidence that by the 15th century Africa had its own religion. Religious ceremonies were presided over by community elders, Example the laibon of the Maasai and the clan heads of clan organization. These elders were responsible for supervising religious ceremonies like organizing sacrifices.