Which statement about the relationship between East, West, and South Africa with Europe is correct?

Some areas initially benefitted from trade with the Europeans, but eventually the contact resulted in the division of Africa into separate colonies.

European merchants brought valuable goods to the African kingdoms that increased their wealth and contributed to the continued growth of a unified

continent.

The Europeans brought only hardship to the African regions. The Portuguese oppressed the African people and refused to trade any goods or resources

with them.

The European Portuguese were the first people to engage in the slave trade by attacking African colonies and forcing the people into slavery.

The correct answer is Some areas initially benefitted from trade with the Europeans, but eventually the contact resulted in the division of Africa into separate colonies.

The European powers, to guarantee raw material, occupied the territories contained in the African continent. Soon after, they promoted the sharing of the continent among the main European countries of the time, giving them the right to explore the share that fell to each nation.

The division of the African continent was consolidated through an agreement made in 1885. This event was attended by England, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain. This agreement was implemented at the Berlin Conference.

However, the process of exploring Africa took place even before the territory was shared, because several countries sent delegations of scientists to the continent. According to them, scientists had the purpose of carrying out scientific research, but in fact they collected data about the mineral potential, that is, the riches of the subsoil.

Years later, much of the African territory was colonized. Europeans introduced cultures that were not part of the diet of the native people. The colonizers quickly promoted the plantations, with emphasis on the production of coffee, tea, sugar cane and cocoa.