Project Synopsis

Casey Petett
Project Synopsis

Commerce and the Slave Trade:

An Analysis of David Livingstone

This paper examines David Livingstone’s role in British imperialism in the nineteenth century. Livingstone is a complex person in history and is portrayed in a number of different ways. Some historians believe that Livingstone was a paternalist and colonist, which was consistent with Britain’s approach to imperialism. This group does not believe that Livingstone was motivated by any real desire to help free Africans from the bondage of slavery. He was determined to introduce commerce to Africa in order to open the country to Europe. This group uses Livingstone’s views on the advancements of Africans as proof that he felt that they could not save themselves. The advanced nations of Europe must take an active role in the advancement of Africa in order for the continent to become civilized. Contemporary historians view Livingstone’s actions were motivated by his beliefs in commerce and Christianity. This group believes that the language used by Livingstone to describe Africa was popular at the time in Europe and the United States. They point to excerpts in Livingstone’s journals and letters as proof that he actually cared about the advancement of Africa. They also use his background in Scotland as evidence that he believed in the power of commerce to advance a group of people. The most powerful parts of Livingstone’s journal are his description of the impact of slavery on Africa. Livingstone gives many examples where the markets in Africa would be better suited for other modes of industry than the slave trade. For example, he suggests that the production of cotton in Africa would stop the slave trade in Africa and in the United States. These examples help prove that Livingstone was staunch anti-slavery advocate.
Livingstone’s journals and letters can be interpreted a number of different ways, which has contributed to the various representations of the man. The primary documents often present Livingstone in contradictory ways. Some excerpts present Livingstone as a staunch colonist who believes that Europe needs to take an active role in the development of Africa. While other excerpts make Livingstone seem that he feels that Africans have the power to bring about their own prosperity. It is clear that he does not support the slave trade in any capacity. The documents also emphasize the use of commerce as away to civilize Africa. The primary documents need to be read in the context of the time. The comments made by Livingstone would now be considered racist, but at the time the terms he used was popular. The primary documents will be used to support the views of contemporary scholars. Livingstone’s journals and letters will be used to present the complete and accurate representation of the man. The documents will reveal the true nature of the man, which was that he believed that commerce would allow Africans to free themselves from slavery. This in turn will prove that the beliefs of Livingstone differed greatly from the popular ideas of imperialism in Great Britain at the time.
Livingstone’s journal, Narrative of an Expedition to the Zambesi and its Tributaries, reflect his racial beliefs. He did not adhere to any fixed racial scale, but he did feel that the European was vastly superior to other cultures. Livingstone said that “the African as by no means the lowest of the human family. He is nearly as strong physically as the European, and, as a race, is wonderfully persistent among the nations of the earth” (625). His statement supports the idea that Livingstone truly believed that Africans were capable of advancing themselves. Early Livingstone wrote, “we have seen nothing to justify the notion that they are of a different “breed” or “species” from the most civilized” (625). This proves that Livingstone actually believed that Africans could advance themselves with only minor assistance from Europe. The role of Europe was vital in order to introduce commerce into Africa, but once it was there Africans could be just as capable as any other nation. Livingstone believed that the problems in Africa could be attributed to the slave trade, which was an industry that could be connected to Europe and the Americas. Great Britain and other countries needed to take an active role in Africa in order to undo the damage that was created by the economies of Europe. This document will best support contemporary historical thought. George Shepperson’s believes that Livingstone was aware of the connection of the slave trade to Europe and the Americas, which motivated his attempts to change the relationship between the continents (215). It will show the complexity of Livingstone, but more importantly it will prove that his racist comments were consistent with the time. It will disprove ideas advanced by historians that suggest Livingstone did not fight for the black man’s rights in isolation form the white man (Northcott, 74). Livingstone intended to improve the rights of Africans in order to change their relationship with the white man. Overall, this journal will be used to support the idea that Livingstone’s views on race and Africa were progressive for the time and that they differed greatly from his contemporaries.
In Livingstone’s, Private Journals (1851-1853), he describes the benefits of commerce over the slave trade. He wrote, “that agents or commissioners situated in different parts in the region would in the course of ten years extirpate the slave trade” (44). He later describes all the industries that would be profitable for the Africans, which include ivory and beeswax. The introduction of commerce would allow the Africans to civilize themselves. He wrote, “give a people the opportunity they will civilize themselves, and that too more effectually than can be done by missionary societies” (44). This passage reveals how commerce would benefit Africa over any other country. This supports the school of thought that believes Livingstone wanted to open up Africa in order to improve the problems related to the slave trade. Andrew Ross asserted that Livingstone believed that commerce would uplift the standards in Africa and end the slave trade (25). At the same time, this sentence contradicts the school of thought that believes that Livingstone was motivated by the needs of Europe. Cecil Northcott wrote, “Livingstone was a colonist and was not ashamed of it.” Northcott then describes how Livingstone was not motivated by beliefs of freedom for the Africans (74). In this journal Livingstone does discuss the role that Europe would have in improving Africa, which does lend itself to the paternalistic approach that he often took. Europe had to take an active approach to the rehabilitation of Africa, but it was only for the benefit of the continent. Once the commerce was in place Africans could civilize themselves, which would not require European intervention.
In Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa Livingstone outlines how Africa can be saved. He believes that commerce and Christianity are necessary in order for Africans to become fully civilized. Livingstone believed that “neither civilization nor Christianity can be promoted alone. In fact, they are inseparable” (25). The civilization that he mentions is related to Africa’s need to change the economy from one that is supported by the slave trade to one that focuses on free markets. Livingstone acknowledged how Africans operated were different, but not necessarily wrong. He used his encounter with a Kwena rain-maker as evidence of the knowledge that the Africans possessed. The rain-maker used his tribe’s way of reasoning to debunk Livingstone’s notion of nature and science (24). Livingstone recognized the capabilities of the Africans although they differed from those of Europeans. This proved that the Africans were component enough to be involved in advanced systems of commerce. Christian missions were also necessary in order to preach the gospel and develop schools, which would help with the improvement of Africa. Livingstone believed what was taught through Christianity would translate to commerce because both forces the Africans to be “mutually dependent on each other” (24). Christianity brings about civilization, which is required in order to produce a profitable system of commerce. Christianity is needed to civilize the Africans and allow them to understand European ideas.
Andrew Ross recognized the influence of missionary circles on Livingstone’s ideas on Africa. Missionary circles have debated the use of Christianity and commerce in Africa since the 1790s onwards. Livingstone was influenced by these groups and used their ideas to help improve Africa and end the slave trade. Christianity was needed in order to teach the Africans and promote commerce throughout the continent. Ross adheres to the school of thought that believes Livingstone truly intended to civilize Africa through commerce and Christianity. Dorothy O. Helly wrote, “Livingstone believed in the material and spiritual superiority of British Christians but he also insisted that preeminence was a privilege that brought responsibilities to aid others less favored” (247). This is more in line with the group of historians who believe that Livingstone influenced by the popular ideas of imperialism. His actions are interpreted as being consistent with Kipling’s ‘Take up the whiteman’s burden.’ That it was his duty being a Christian in Europe to pass on his civilization to other countries, such as Africa.
In Private Journals (1851) Livingstone acknowledged the European contributions to the slave trade. He described the slave traders as “clothed in gaudy coloured apparel, and had a large assortment of English manufactured goods in their possession” (42). Slave traders had grown accustomed to English manufactured goods. They would buy these items with money they earned through the slave trade. Livingstone believed that Christianity and commerce would establish a healthy relationship between Europe and Africa and eliminate the slave trade. Ross asserted that this was the reason why Livingstone wanted to institute another form of commerce in Africa (25). Europe and Africa would both benefit from the relationship since the trade would benefit both continents. Shepperson people Livingstone’s use of commerce and Christianity was influenced by the Industrial Revolution. He believed that the prospect of every-expanding trade and a better standard of living should be available to everyone, black or white (215). Northcott takes to task Livingstone’s missionary work in Africa. Northcott wrote, “there have been other successful travelers in Africa, and a host of more successful missionaries” (130). This represents the group of historians who believe that Livingstone really did not accomplish anything in Africa. Livingstone was never to actually implement his vision of commerce and Christianity in Africa.
In the Last Journals of David Livingstone he recognized the potential of the Africans through their work with iron. He recounted an incident when he questioned the use of stone tools. He said that their method “showed sounder sense than if they had been burdened with the great weights we use” (89). Livingstone compared the methods in Africa to those used in Europe in order to justify his intentions to introduce commerce to the Africans. The iron works in African appealed to Livingstone because of his industrial background. Shepperson wrote believed that “Livingstone, indeed, was born into a typically Scottish world of ‘Self-help’” (209). These historians believe his background influence his ideas of commerce in Africa. Industry would raise the standard of living and end the slave trade. The foundation was already laid in Africa through the inhabitants’ knowledge of iron. This showed that he believed that commerce could be successful because the Africans were capable of working in some sort of industry. Other historians, such as Timothy Holmes believes that Livingstone did not help the African advance (191). Instead, Livingstone’s missions only opened up Africa for further European expansion. This perspective emphasizes Livingstone’s role as an explorer and not a missionary. The assertion of these historians is further supported by the Scramble for Africa that preceded Livingstone’s death. European leaders, such as King Leopold of Belgium used Livingstone’s ideas of a prosperous Africa as an excuse to carve out his own kingdom (241). It is difficult to determine if how much Livingstone contributed to the Scramble for Africa, however.
Reading through the primary documents it is easy to see how complex Livingstone was. Some of the excerpts do portray Livingstone as a colonist and paternalistic in the popular British sense. In others it does seem like Livingstone actually does care about the advancement of Africa. The research project will primarily use Livingstone’s Narrative of an Expedition to the Zambesi and its Tributaries. This primary document gives the most thorough account of Livingstone’s actions. It also deals in depth with commerce and Christianity as well as his views on race and slavery.
The primary documents reveal how difficult it is to analysis Livingstone’s actions in Africa. The documents can be read many different ways, which can make it difficult to determine what motivated Livingstone. It is clear that Livingstone wanted to implement commerce and Christianity in Africa, but his reasons for this is contested by historians. The documents reveal the broad range of ideas that Livingstone had of the people of Africa. His journals and letter help prove that he actually cared about the conditions in Africa, especially the ones that pertained to the slave trade. He was motivated by his disgust for the slave trade and its effects on the Africa. He did feel that the European was superior, but he also believed that the Africans were capable of improvement. The documents will be examined in the context of their time, which reveal that Livingstone was progressive on his ideas of Africa. He was able to accomplish much in combating the slave trade. The documents will support contemporary scholars who recognize the importance that Livingstone on the slave trade. The documents will also be used to disprove historians who believe Livingstone’s actions were consistent with other imperialists of the time.
The work of historians that assert Livingstone was an imperialist is old. Contemporary scholars view Livingstone more as an advocate for the improvement of Africa. The perspective of contemporary scholars is much more reliable than past historians because they study Livingstone more in depth. Past scholars tend to focus on specific aspects of Livingstone’s life, which can be problematic. His life must be studied in depth in order to find the exact nature of Livingstone. The best perspective of Livingstone was that first he was a missionary and second he was an explorer. His journals deal more with aspects of African culture and the slave trade than his exploration successes. Livingstone filled many roles, but he best served as missionary who was concerned with the standard of living in Africa. There are many examples in Livingstone’s journals that will dispute the previously mentioned assertion. He can easily be viewed as a racist who had imperialist ambitions during his travels in Africa. These views will be refuted by placing his comments in the context of the language of the time. It will prove that Livingstone may have had racist views by today’s standards, but his ideas were consistent with the time. The historians that say Livingstone opened up African to further European expansion will countered by examples that prove he actually cared more about improving Africa. Livingstone can be seen as an anomaly in the context of imperialism of the time. He believed in commerce and Christianity, which would allow for the Africans to gain some sort of independence from the problems associated with the slave trade. This deviates from other imperialist because he d\
id not believe Europe had a right to conquer Africa. His use of the white man’s way of doing things can be view as paternalistic, but it was only intended to help Africa. Commerce and Christianity would accomplish two goals, which were to eliminate the slave trade and improve the standards in Africa. These would allow the Africans to have an active hand in their own rehabilitation.




















References
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Livingstone, David. 1960. Private journals, 1851-1853. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Livingstone, David, and Fred S. Arnot. 1912. Missionary travels and researches in south africa. London: J. Murray.
Livingstone, David, and Charles Livingstone. 1866. Narrative of an expendition to the zambesi and its tributaries;and of the discovery of the lakes shirwa and nyassa. 1858-1864. New York: Harper & brothers.
Livingstone, David, and Horace Waller. 1971; 1875. The last journals of david livingstone in central africa. from 1865 to his death. continued by a narrative of his last moments and sufferings, obtained from his faithful servants chuma and susi. Detroit: Negro History Press.
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