King Afonso's Relations With The Europeans

When the Europeans first encountered the new world they found many things that they could take advantage of. However, European relations with natives from the new world wasn’t always on good terms. This can be seen when King Afonso’s of Congo relations with the Portuguese is compared to the Mexicans relations with the Spaniards. Although, these are different countries and different people, their relations with the Europeans are quite identical in terms of the treatment of the natives. During the 16th century, King Afonso was involved in trade with the Portuguese who sent merchants, soldiers, and missionaries into his kingdom. But he soon realized that the Portuguese were bringing damage and corruption into his kingdom. He wrote to King Joao III of Portugal many times asking him to put an end to the damage his people were bringing. “What causes so much looseness is the fact that the
But the Portuguese king seems to be ignoring him. “..Your Highness is putting all of this in jeopardy by showing so little interest in us... The [Portuguese ship pilots’] pretend to be obeying the orders of Your Highness… ” (Johnson 17) The Portuguese merchants take advantage of King Afonso and his people. Afonso also writes to the king stating that the merchants “kidnap many of our free or freed black subjects even nobles, sons of noblemen and even our relatives. They sell them to the white men...” (Johnson 19) Afonso then again pleads King Joao III to “avoid sending us merchants who engage in vicious trade as well as evil goods.” (Johnson 17) Even after all of these requests, King Afonso is still not receiving help from the Portuguese king. He even writes to him saying, “Your Highness wrote to have us ask him in our letters everything that we need. He would provide us with everything.” (Johnson 18) Yet, with each letter, Afonso’s requests are not fulfilled and the Portuguese merchants take advantage of his kingdom and his