The Portuguese Take Control Part 1- The 1607 Rebellion.

The Portuguese Take Control Part 1- The 1607 Rebellion.

Why?

• The Mutapa Empire was beginning to fragment as rivalries between those who wanted to trade with the Portuguese and those who wanted to trade with the Swahili.

• The Monomutapa, Gatsi Rusere, was weak and so rebellions broke out in the Empire.

• Two main rebellions broke out in the beginning of 1607- the Marave people rebelled against him and a man named Matuzihanye also led a group of rebels against Rusere.

What Happened?

• Rusere was desperate, he did not want to be defeated by the rebels.

• He called on the Portuguese for assistance.

• The Portuguese offered help, but in return they wanted control of all gold mines in the Empire.

• Rusere agreed, and in August 1607 surrendered all his mines to the Portuguese crown. The combined forces of the Monomutapa and the Portuguese struck back at the Marave and Matuzihanye's rebels

Open Ended

Why do you think the Portuguese wanted control of the Mutapa's gold mines?

The Rebellion is suppressed.

• The Portuguese brought muskets and horses. They fought the rebels armed mainly with spears and shields.

• Combined with the experienced Mutapa army they quickly defeated the Marave and engaged Matuzihanye defeating him in battle and forcing him to flee.

• Rusere, with Portuguese help defeated his enemies, but to do so he had given them control of most of his wealth and the control of the wealth of the Empire.

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Open Ended

Why do you think it was a bad move to give the Portuguese control of the gold mine?

Results

• Rusere stayed as Monomutapa

• The Portuguese now controlled all Mutapa gold mines.

• The Mutapa Empire and the position of the Monomutapa was now in a weak position, for now they didn't protect themselves and relied on Portuguese help and they no longer controlled their wealth.

• This would not be the last time the Portuguese would use their influence to control the Mutapa.

Poll

If you were a Mutapa living under Rusere would you still support him as your Monomutapa?

• Yes, he is the rightful king.

• Yes, but I'm not happy with him!

• No, he has destroyed our kingdom.

• Where's my spear? I'm rebelling!