Question

source: lithograph of nzinga mbande (c. 1583 to 1663) by the french painter achille devéria (1800–1857). nzinga ruled over ndongo, a state in what is now angola, preserving her people by forming political alliances with the portuguese. public domain. which of the following developments provides the broad historical context for the political choices of queen nzinga mbande c. 1650 ce? choose 1 answer: a the portuguese colonization of brazil and the west african slave trade b the establishment of the spanish “trading post empire” c the dutch colonization of many regions of asia to gain access to spices d the spread of islam throughout west africa

Explanation:

Queen Nzinga ruled in Angola (southern West/Central Africa) around 1650 CE. Her political alliance with Portugal was tied to the Portuguese presence in West Africa, which was deeply linked to the transatlantic slave trade and their colonial hold on Brazil, a major destination for enslaved Africans from the region. Option B is incorrect because the Spanish did not focus on this African region; option C is unrelated to African politics of this area; option D's Islamic spread did not drive her alliance with Portugal.

Answer:

A. the Portuguese colonization of Brazil and the West African slave trade