Abstract:

This study examines the transformative impact of European trade on the social structures and power dynamics of Old Calabar between 1847 and 1877. Following the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, European trading firms redirected their commercial interests toward palm oil, reshaping the economic foundations of the region. The transition from slave exports to commodity trade not only altered patterns of wealth accumulation but also redefined political authority among the Efik and Ibibio communities. Traditional institutions such as the Ekpe society and the Obong monarchy adapted to new realities, negotiating with European merchants while consolidating internal control. European firms introduced new hierarchies of influence, empowered certain elites and marginalised others, this gradually eroded indigenous autonomy. This period also marked the intensification of European intervention in local governance, and laid the groundwork for colonial subjugation. By situating Old Calabar within broader Atlantic trade networks, the research highlighted how commerce became a vehicle for cultural exchange, social reorganisation, and political realignment. Drawing on archival records, oral traditions, and secondary literature, the study underscores the dual legacy of European trade: economic integration into global markets and the destabilisation of indigenous institutions, ultimately paving the way for colonial rule in southeastern Nigeria.