The+Igbo+People+Meet+the+Europeans

The Age of Informal Empire:


 * The meeting between the Igbo and Europeans occurred in the 19th century
 * Europeans initially exported the Igbo as slaves, but due to abolition politics, expeditions were sent out into the African interior regions to establish contacts with Africans.
 * Increased demand for goods such as palm oil that were found in Africa caused a boom in trade, and the Igbo invited Europeans to come live amongst them.
 * During a period of economic depression in the palm oil business, the Europeans and Igbo began to clash - European traders refused to pay the tolls of African chiefs. Private citizens began to attack and rob the Europeans in a period of "gunboat diplomacy"
 * The British government consented to send military assistance after inhabitants of an African town openly attacked the British citizens, and despite efforts of the local warriors, the guilty town was destroyed.
 * The violent conquering and destruction of local African towns of the Igbo were destroyed in retaliation by British troops against the local Igbo and African tribes, and all friendly relations were hence destroyed.