 The Portuguese showed clear disdain with the condition of the slave economics of the Kongo and made a failed attempt to assassinate Afonso I in 1540.During his reign Afonso I leveraged other desirable resources to consolidate his power and to maintain the status quo with Portugal, mainly gold, iron, and copper.These resources were the bargaining chips that allowed Afonso I to negotiate with the Portuguese, but also to insulate himself from them as well to a lesser extent.