Basic 4 · History · Major Historical Locations
Elmina Castle
In this topic you will describe the history of Elmina Castle.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Describe the history of Elmina Castle
- Name the Europeans who controlled it
- Compare Elmina and Cape Coast Castles
What you already know
- Cape Coast Castle
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- My country Ghana
- Sub-strand
- Major Historical Locations
- Indicator
- B4.1.4.1.1 – Describe the history of Ghana's major historical locations
Introduction
Elmina Castle is the oldest European building in sub-Saharan Africa. It was built by the Portuguese in 1482 to trade in gold.
1. History of Elmina Castle
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1482 | the Portuguese built São Jorge da Mina (St George of the Mine) |
| 1637 | the Dutch captured it |
| 1872 | the British took control |
At first it was used for the gold trade. Later it became a centre of the slave trade.
2. Comparing the Castles
| Feature | Elmina Castle | Cape Coast Castle |
|---|---|---|
| built by | Portuguese (1482) | Swedes (1653) |
| later owners | Dutch, then British | British |
| main uses | gold trade, then slave trade | trade, slave trade, British headquarters |
New words
- Portuguese
- People from Portugal.
- Dutch
- People from the Netherlands.
- São Jorge da Mina
- The Portuguese name for Elmina Castle.
- capture
- To take by force.
- trade
- Buying and selling goods.
- fortified
- Strengthened against attack.
Summary
- Elmina Castle was built by the Portuguese in 1482.
- It is the oldest European building in sub-Saharan Africa.
- The Dutch captured it in 1637 and the British took over in 1872.
- It was used for the gold trade and later the slave trade.
Class activity: Compare the Castles
- Look at photographs of both castles.
- Fill in a comparison table.
- Share one similarity and one difference.
You need: Ghana map, Printed photographs of major Ghanaian historical sites, Locally made site-name cards
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Who built Elmina Castle?
- A. The Portuguese
- B. The British
- C. The Dutch
- D. The Swedes
Show answer
Answer: The PortugueseIn 1482.2. Who captured Elmina Castle in 1637?
- A. The Dutch
- B. The British
- C. The French
- D. The Danes
Show answer
Answer: The DutchThey held it until 1872.3. What was Elmina Castle first used for?
- A. Gold trade
- B. Football
- C. Farming
- D. Fishing only
Show answer
Answer: Gold tradeHence "Mina" (mine).4. Elmina Castle is older than Cape Coast Castle.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: True1482 is earlier than 1653.5. The British built Elmina Castle.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseThe Portuguese built it.6. People from the Netherlands are the ______.
Show answer
Answer: DutchThey captured Elmina.7. Give two differences between Elmina and Cape Coast Castles.
Show answer
Answer: Elmina was built by the Portuguese in 1482; Cape Coast by the Swedes in 1653; Elmina was Dutch-owned for a long time.Compare builders and dates.8. Why did the use of Elmina Castle change from gold to slaves?
Show answer
Answer: European demand for enslaved workers in the Americas made the slave trade very profitable.Trade changed over time.
Homework
- Draw both castles and label who built them and when.