European Trade, Colonialism and Human Capital Accumulation in Senegal, Gambia and Western Mali, 1770 - 1900

Gabriele Cappelli and Joerg Baten

No 6468, CESifo Working Paper Series from CESifo

Abstract: We trace the development of human capital in today’s Senegal, Gambia, and Western Mali between 1770 and 1900. European trade, slavery and early colonialism were linked to human capital formation, but this connection appears to have been heterogeneous. The contact with the Atlantic slave trade increased regional divergence, as the coast of Senegambia developed more quickly than inner areas. This pattern was affected by French early colonialism and by the reaction of different West African populations to the economic incentives provided by foreign demand for agricultural products. The peanut trade since the mid-19th century further amplified regional economic inequalities.

Keywords: numeracy; West Africa; trade; colonialism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I21 N37 N57 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-his
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Journal Article: European Trade, Colonialism, and Human Capital Accumulation in Senegal, Gambia and Western Mali, 1770–1900 (2017)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ces:ceswps:_6468

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