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What were the effects of the colonial period on Sao Tome and Principe? São Tomé and Príncipe are two islands located south of the equator in the Atlantic Ocean, dating back to the 16th century

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What were the effects of the colonial period on Sao Tome and Principe?

São Tomé and Príncipe, two islands located south of the equator in the Atlantic Ocean that date back to the 16th century, were once under Portuguese rule during the colonial period and became important Portuguese trading posts between Africa and South America.

Sao Tome and Principe underwent many changes during the Portuguese colonial period that had a profound impact on the two islands and their people, and this article will explore the impact of the Portuguese colonial period on Sao Tome and Principe.

Impact 1: Economy

Portugal began establishing trading posts in São Tomé and Príncipe in the early 16th century, mainly to acquire gold, ivory, slaves and other valuables from the region.

In later centuries, the Portuguese developed large-scale agricultural plantations in São Tomé and Príncipe, mainly growing coffee, cocoa, cotton, and sugar.

The operation of these plantations required a large number of laborers, so the Portuguese brought in large numbers of slaves from the west coast of Africa and beyond, making São Tomé and Príncipe an important slave trading center.

During the Portuguese colonial period, the economy of São Tomé and Príncipe was mainly dependent on plantations and the slave trade, however, instead of bringing sustainable development and prosperity, Portuguese colonial rule led to the overexploitation of local resources and environmental destruction.

At the same time, slavery had brought serious inequalities and social conflicts to local societies, which had affected the economic and social development of Sao Tome and Principe.

Impact 2: Culture

Portuguese colonization had a profound impact on the culture of São Tomé and Príncipe, with the religion, language and customs of the local population influenced under Portuguese rule, and Portuguese culture penetrated the local society.

In terms of religion, the Portuguese brought the Catholic faith and built many churches and monasteries on the island.

In terms of language, Portuguese became the official language of São Tomé and Príncipe, replacing the local language and dialect.

In terms of customs, Portuguese culture and traditions also have an impact on local society, for example, in Sao Tome and Principe, Portugal's confectionery making techniques and coffee drinking culture have been widely spread and developed.

However, while cultural exchanges, colonial rule also brought cultural conflicts and frictions, and the Portuguese tried to impose Portuguese culture and religious beliefs through colonial policies and education systems, which led to the antipathy and resistance of the local people to Portuguese culture.

In addition, the neglect and destruction of local culture by the Portuguese also exacerbated the cultural conflict.

Impact three: politics

Portuguese colonial rule had a profound impact on the politics of São Tomé and Príncipe, during which the Portuguese colonial government exercised strict control and management over local politics by establishing colonial governments and administrative structures.

These government agencies and administrations are responsible for regulating local trade and cultivation, while also exercising control and control over the local population.

However, the intervention and control of local politics by the Portuguese colonial government led to political instability and turmoil, and at the end of the 18th century, a series of anti-Portuguese riots and uprisings broke out in São Tomé and Príncipe, including slave revolts and national independence movements.

These uprisings and riots reflected the dissatisfaction and resistance of the local population against Portuguese colonial rule.

In addition to the previously mentioned, the colonial period had many other influences on Sao Tome and Principe, which will be further expanded below.

Establishment of plantation economy

Portugal has established a large number of plantations in São Tomé and Príncipe, mainly coffee beans, cocoa and palm oil. The establishment of plantations has shifted the economies of the two island nations from being predominantly subsistence to export-oriented.

This also contributed to the population growth of the island, as a large amount of labor was required for agricultural labor, however, this plantation economy was based on slavery, which caused the local population to suffer severe exploitation and oppression.

Spread of Portuguese culture

The Portuguese brought their own culture and language with them during the colonial period and established many churches and schools in the two island nations, which became the center of Portuguese culture and also influenced the cultural development of these areas.

In addition, during the colonial period, Portuguese became the official language of both island nations, which also had an impact on the language and culture of the local people.

Economic and social inequalities

During the colonial period, Sao Tome and Principe had extreme economic and social inequalities, the plantation economy was based on slavery, the colonial authorities and colonizers occupied most of the land and resources, and the local people lived in extreme poverty and backwardness.

The colonial authorities exercised very strict economic and political control over these island nations, which deprived the local people of freedom and development opportunities.

Bibliography:

1、African Economic Outlook. (2020). São Tomé and Príncipe. Retrieved from

2、Davidow, J. (2013). The Portuguese in Africa. In R. Paquette & J. Smith (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Slavery in the Americas. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

3、Horta, M. (2007). São Tomé and Príncipe: From Plantation Colony to Microstate. London: James Currey.

What were the effects of the colonial period on Sao Tome and Principe? São Tomé and Príncipe are two islands located south of the equator in the Atlantic Ocean, dating back to the 16th century
What were the effects of the colonial period on Sao Tome and Principe? São Tomé and Príncipe are two islands located south of the equator in the Atlantic Ocean, dating back to the 16th century
What were the effects of the colonial period on Sao Tome and Principe? São Tomé and Príncipe are two islands located south of the equator in the Atlantic Ocean, dating back to the 16th century

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