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Economic development

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This study examines the role of cowrie-shell money in West African trade, particularly the slave trade. The shells were carried from the Maldives to the Mediterranean by Arab traders for further transport across the Sahara, and to Europe by competing Portuguese, Dutch, English and French traders for onward transport to the West African coast. In Africa they served to purchase the slaves exported to the New World, as well as other less sinister exports. Over a large part of West Africa they became the regular market currency, but were severely devalued by the importation of thousands of tons of the cheaper Zanzibar cowries. Colonial governments disliked cowries because of the inflation and encouraged their replacement by low-value coins. They disappeared almost totally, to re-appear during the depression of the 1930s, and have been found occasionally in the markets of remote frontier districts, avoiding exchange and currency control problems.

Shell money --- Cowries --- Slave trade --- Monnaie de coquillage --- Cauries --- Esclaves --- History --- Commerce --- Histoire --- Cowries. --- Shell money. --- Slave-trade --- History. --- Arts and Humanities --- Cowry shells --- Cypraeidae --- Cypraeids --- Littorinimorpha --- Money

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International economic relations --- AA / International- internationaal --- 339 --- 347.720.1 --- 333.825 --- 382.240 --- 382.50 --- 333.450 --- 333.846.7 --- 333.451.0 --- Economic policy, Foreign --- Economic relations, Foreign --- Economics, International --- Foreign economic policy --- Foreign economic relations --- Interdependence of nations --- International economic policy --- International economics --- New international economic order --- Economic policy --- International relations --- Economic sanctions --- Handel. Internationale economische betrekkingen. Wereldeconomie --binnenlandse als buitenlandse handel; zie ook {339.3} en {339.5} --- Aard, definitie, eigenschappen van handelsvennootschappen. Bedrijfspatrimonium. Multinationale bedrijven. --- Deviezenpolitiek. Interventies. --- Evolutie van de betalingsbalans: algemeenheden. --- Internationale handelsbetrekkingen: algemeenheden. --- Theorie van het deviezenverkeer. Theorie van de koopkrachtpariteit. --- Verband tussen de geld-, bank- en kredietpolitiek en de buitenlandse handel en betalingsbalans. --- Wisselmarkt: algemeenheden. --- 339 Handel. Internationale economische betrekkingen. Wereldeconomie --binnenlandse als buitenlandse handel; zie ook {339.3} en {339.5} --- Theorie van het deviezenverkeer. Theorie van de koopkrachtpariteit --- Wisselmarkt: algemeenheden --- Deviezenpolitiek. Interventies --- Verband tussen de geld-, bank- en kredietpolitiek en de buitenlandse handel en betalingsbalans --- Aard, definitie, eigenschappen van handelsvennootschappen. Bedrijfspatrimonium. Multinationale bedrijven --- Evolutie van de betalingsbalans: algemeenheden --- Internationale handelsbetrekkingen: algemeenheden