Why did the the Portuguese defeat the East African Coastal towns?
a) They had superior weapons e.g. cannon guns which made terrible noise and threw people in
panic as compared to the poor musket guns of the coastal Arabs.
b) They had well trained soldiers with superior skills of fighting compared to the coastal people
who had no permanent organized army e.g. Vasco da Gama, Francisco D’Almeida were ruthless
army commanders which helped them to defeat the coastal dwellers.
c) They had better and faster ships (carracks) well equipped for naval warfare. The Portuguese
soldiers wore Armour on their bodies and helmets on their heads, which protected them from the
weapons of the coastal people.
d) The coastal towns were disunited which gave chance to the Portuguese to fight isolated
enemies e.g. Malindi refused to unite with Mombasa due to local conflicts. Some cooperated
with the invaders giving them food and bases e.g. Malindi and Sofala.
e) Some coastal towns like Kilwa were caught unaware. The Portuguese employed cruel methods
of fighting like burning down towns and surprise attacks.
f) The ships acted as stages against the hostile weapons of the coastal people.
g) The coast had natural harbours and was not open to attacks.
h) The constant attacks on the coastal towns by the Galla, Zimba and Turkish e.t.c had weakened
their defence.
i) The Portuguese were financially equipped and therefore supported their soldiers because they
wanted to control the East African trade.
j) The coastal states had very weak economies that could not sustain prolonged fights especially
against the economically strong Portuguese.
johnmulu answered the question on January 24, 2017 at 05:53
- Discuss the results of the Bantu migration into Kenya in the pre-colonial period.(Solved)
Discuss the results of the Bantu migration into Kenya in the pre-colonial period
Date posted: January 24, 2017. Answers (1)
- Describe the migration and settlement of the Western Bantu into Kenya(Solved)
Describe the migration and settlement of the Western Bantu into Kenya.
Date posted: January 24, 2017. Answers (1)
- What are the two main organs of county government?(Solved)
Give two main organs of county government.
Date posted: January 24, 2017. Answers (1)
- Name one agricultural scheme introduced in Kenya after independence(Solved)
Name one agricultural scheme introduced in Kenya after independence.
Date posted: January 24, 2017. Answers (1)
- Give four examples of indirect taxes(Solved)
List the various examples of indirect taxes.
Date posted: January 24, 2017. Answers (1)
- Identify two main ways in which the government spends its revenue(Solved)
Give two main ways in which the government spends its revenue.
Date posted: January 24, 2017. Answers (1)
- What were the recommendations of the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954?(Solved)
State the recommendations of the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954.
Date posted: January 24, 2017. Answers (1)
- Why were African denied equal educational opportunities with other races during the colonial period?(Solved)
Why were Africans denied equal educational opportunities with other races during the colonial period.
Date posted: January 24, 2017. Answers (1)
- Identify two sources of origin of Nyayoism(Solved)
Identify two sources of origin of Nyayoism.
Date posted: January 23, 2017. Answers (1)
- Name two treaties that marked colonial spheres of influence in East Africa(Solved)
Name two treaties which were signed that marked colonial spheres of influence in East Africa.
Date posted: January 23, 2017. Answers (1)
- What is meant by collective responsibility of the cabinet?(Solved)
What is meant by collective responsibility of the cabinet.
Date posted: January 23, 2017. Answers (1)
- Why were Omani rulers interested in establishing their control over the Kenyan coast?(Solved)
Give reasons why Omani rulers were interested in establishing their control over the Kenyan coast.
Date posted: January 23, 2017. Answers (1)
- Identify two types of democracy(Solved)
Identify two types of democracy.
Date posted: January 23, 2017. Answers (1)
- Name one major cause for increased slave trade in East Africa in the 19th century.(Solved)
Identify one major cause for increased slave trade in East Africa in the 19th century.
Date posted: January 23, 2017. Answers (1)
- How did the knowledge of iron working help in the migration of the Bantu?(Solved)
Give one way in which the knowledge of iron working helped in the migration of the Bantu.
Date posted: January 23, 2017. Answers (1)
- What was the basic unit of the political organisation among most Kenyan communities during the pre-colonial period?(Solved)
Name the basic unit of the political organisation among most Kenyan communities during the pre-colonial period.
Date posted: January 23, 2017. Answers (1)
- What impact did the southern Cushites have on other Kenyan Communities?(Solved)
Explain the impact which southern Cushites had on other Kenyan Communities?
Date posted: January 23, 2017. Answers (1)
- What are the challenges facing Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS)?(Solved)
Explain the main challenges facing ECOWAS as an organization.
Date posted: January 20, 2017. Answers (1)
- What are the characteristics of Commonwealth member countries?(Solved)
State the characteristics of Common Wealth member countries.
Date posted: January 20, 2017. Answers (1)
- Explain the British structure of administration in Northern Nigeria during the colonial period(Solved)
What was the British structure of administration in Northern Nigeria during the colonial period?
Date posted: January 20, 2017. Answers (1)