The Atlantic Slave
Trade
CHAPTER 13-2
16TH CENTURY
Trade, Colonies, & Mercantilism

After the arrival of Europeans into areas of the globe that had not
been “discovered”, a clear negative impact can be seen in the
native populations of the Americas & the Spice Islands (Moluccus).

After the majority of the native populations of the regions died off or
were forced to work in laborious conditions, it became clear that
the people in charge of these “new” territories would be the
Europeans.

Europeans would set up a permanent settlement in their newly
acquired lands known as colonies. Anything obtained in the colony
belongs directly to the mother country that claimed that territory.

i.e. , Gold Taken from Brazil (Colony) would be shipped back to
Portugal (Mother Country)
Trade, Colonies, & Mercantilism

A new economic theory was put into practice in the colonies known
as mercantilism. This theory centered around the notion that Bullion
(Gold & Silver) be collected from the colonies and sent back to their
mother country. It also centers around the mother country exporting
as many manufactured goods as possible.
Slave Trade

The sugar industry quickly became one of the most profitable crop
grown in the New World as demand in Europe spiked. Many
European Kingdoms established plantations , or large agricultural
estates that grew a specific crop, in this case sugar to maximize their
profits.

Sugar cultivation in a planataion style agricultural set up is very
laboous work. Initially , Europeans used natives to work on these
plantations, but as many of them died off a new need for “workers”
forced Europeans to look elsewhere.
Slave Trade

New trade routes came to existence after the “discovery” of the
new world linking all these territories with an Atlantic Shore-line. Soon
triangular trade developed between these regions. (Europe, Africa,
The Americas)

The more technologically advanced Europeans were traded such
as weapons & manufactured goods with African Kingdoms who
themselves practiced slavery for centuries.

African Slaves were viewed as commodities to the Europeans who
now needed new ‘workers” for their plantations in the Americas.
Thus the portion of the triangular trade network used to take African
slaves to the Americas became known as the Middle Passage.
Triangular Trade & the Middle Passage
Sources of Enslaved Africans

The majority of the slaves that were traded to the Europeans were
prisoners of war. In West Africa, when 2 tribes fought the survivors of
the defeated tribe became slaves of the victorious tribe.

After participating in the slave trade with Europeans it became
clear to some African monarchs that they were coming up on the
short end of trade as it was noticeable that the African population
was decreasing.
Sources of Enslaved Africans

In a letter written to the King of Portugal by African monarch, King
Afonso of Congo tells the king “ So great is the corruption that our
country is being completely depopulated.”

Another African Culture that was hit hard by the Slave trade was the
kingdom of Benin. A thriving society with segments associated with
art & religious beliefs prior to the arrival of the Europeans lost their
faith as a result of the slave trade. Not after many years did it dawn
on Europeans that they were responsible for this.
King Afonso of Congo