Who Has the Worst Record for Trading Slaves?
During the eighteenth century, the slave trade accounted for the transport of a staggering 6 million African’s, Britain was the worst transgressor - responsible for almost 2.5 million. (Barry,1998). However, this fact is often forgotten and overlooked by many who see Britain as the primary vector through which the abolishment of the slave trade was bought about.
What were the economic, political and social consequences of the transatlantic slave trade?
Economic
Since the population had depleted in such a huge manner, the economic development of the African continent was hindered. African society was largely based on agriculture the farming of land and the raising of livestock. As more and more men were taken away from their responsibilities, and as women became overspread, existing labour dependant economies were abandoned. Tunde Obadina writes:
The predominance of the slave trade prevented the emergence of the business classes that could have spearheaded the internal exploitation of the resources of their societies. (Obadina, 2000)
Before the European connection, African societies thrived on home manufactured iron and steel objects such as weapons (Barry,1998:134). But when the Europeans arrived their lower quality articles, especially cutlery, began replacing all of the home made products. This shows that the lack of a labour force due to the plunder of the slave trade led to the underdevelopment of Africa’s up and coming industries.
The abolition of the slave trade also had economic repercussions throughout the continent as the kingdoms and countries that were economically dependent on the slave trade were no longer sustainable (Thomas,1999:24).
Political
A harsh reality of the slave trade was demonstrated in the way the slaves were captured. Most were taken by kidnapping and tribal wars. An ex-slave named Olaudah Equiano published his memoirs in 1789. Here he depicts how a raid was carried out:
When a trader wants slaves, he applies to a chief for them, and tempts him with his wares. It is not extraordinary, if on this occasion he yields to the temptation with little firmness, and accepts the price of his fellow creatures liberty with as little reluctance, as the enlightened merchant. Accordingly, he falls upon his neighbours, and a desperate battle
ensues... if he prevails, and takes prisoners, he gratifies his avarice by selling them. (Obadina, 2000).
Before long, there was a high rise in the commercial slave trade due to the needs of European traders setting out for the New World. Enslaving ones enemy became more of a reason to go to war rather than a consequence of war (Dresser, 2003). African kings began ‘dealing in people’ for foreign goods such as guns, iron, cloth and tobacco, alcohol and cowie shells which was the main currency in West Africa at the time.
In 1770 Ottobah Cugoano was kindnapped in Ajumako which is in modern-day Ghana. He was 13 years old. With reference to his own capture he wrote the following after regaining his freedom:
I must own, to the shame of my own countrymen, that I was first kidnapped and betrayed by some of my own complexion, who were the first cause of my exile and slavery...If there were no buyers there would be no sellers.(Obadina, 2000).
It may also be thought-provoking to add that if there were not any sellers, surely there would not have been any buyers.
As wars were waged for political as well as commercial purposes, there began to be distrust and suspicion between communities. These find of feelings between neighbours became the norm just to survive. The world of the African became culturally and socially deformed. Superstitious beliefs and customs arose from the rising number of uncertainties they faced, many anxious for their lives and the future.
Social
The slave trade had a massive demographical impact on Africa, the enslavement and removal of millions of Africans had detrimental effects on population stability and population growth. Most of these captives were young fit males which therefore resulted in the formation of a gender imbalance amongst the many West African societies of the time (Dresser, 2003). The removal of these young men from their villages also caused a radical shift in marriage patterns along with a drastic declination in birth rates. Through computerised calculations, it has been determined that the population of Africa in the 19th Century would have been double what it was had the slave trade not occurred. This would suggest that instead of a continental population of 25 Million in 1850, it would have been closer to 50 million. (McNeil, 2004).
The consequences of the slave trade were very diverse and varied widely throughout the African continent. It resulted in an exponential increase in warfare and ultimately contributed to the underdevelopment of a rich culture. Upon arriving in Africa, the Europeans found a continent that was divided into a series of stable states, many of which were run by chiefs or kings. The effects of the slave trade depended on many factors including the length and amount a society was involved, whether those within a community were slaves or slavers and how well a community adjusted to the pressures created by the trade itself. Altogether, the long term effects of the Atlantic slave trade on Africa were political, social, and economical disruptions which unjustly led to the breakdown of a historically strong social structure, a loss of security and self confidence.
How is slavery linked to racism?
The Atlantic slave trade also brought with it a racial attitude which is now a cunning legacy throughout the whole world. Back in ancient times, anyone could have been enslaved. But as Madge Dresser writes, by the 18th century slave status was increasingly associated exclusively with Africans. It was this association which served to denigrate black people whatever their status. (Dresser, 2003)
White people declared their superiority over black people during slavery and the slave trade. Many of the white slave traders were illiterate, crude and drunken men in the business of selling black people to the new world for the price of alcoholic beverages and weapons. As far as the slave traders were concerned, that was all they were worth these young African men and women were but a commodity (Thomas, 1999).
As time went by, theories circulated regarding the intellect of the black man and white people further became sarcastic toward the black man. During the slave trade, Africans themselves began to feel insecure and a belief of inferiority began to creep in. This resulted in a loss of confidence in the development of themselves and their culture.
Diagram illustrating the origin of slaves sold during the transatlantic trade.
Diagram showing the structure of the trade routes.
- The blue route was the first leg which involved European slave ships leaving the various ports equipped with many goods (guns, iron etc) which would be used to trade for slaves.
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The red route was commonly known as the ‘Middle passage’ and it involved the transportation of slaves from the African continent to the ‘New World’. Slaves were introduced to new diseases and suffered from malnutrition long before they reached the new world. It is suggested that the majority of deaths on the voyage across the Atlantic - the middle passage - occurred during the first couple of weeks and were as a result of malnutrition and disease encountered during the forced marches and subsequent interment at slave camps on the coast.
- The Green route symbolized the completion of the Triangular trade and the ships would often return laden with all sorts of luxurious goods that were somewhat lacking in Europe, such as coffee, sugar, cocoa, cotton and tea.
How many slaves made the perilous journey across the Atlantic?
It has been estimated that between 1520 and 1870, over thirty million Africans voyaged across the Atlantic to become slaves (Thomas, 1997). Most of these voyages went to Latin America and the Caribbean. The institution of slavery really only took hold in the English colonies that eventually became the United States after the founding of Jamestown.
Illustration showing the capture and forced removal of slaves from Africa.
Slave owners branding slaves, this was the main mechanism used to show ownership of slaves.
Image showing the structure of a slave ship, up to 600 slaves could be crammed onto these ships.
References
Barry, B. Senegambia and the Atlantic Slave Trade. (1998). Routledge Publishers.
Dresser, D. (1994), The Atlantic Slave Trade. D.C.Heath and Company, USA.
Hat, C. (2006), Slavery: From Africa to Americas. CJ Press limited.
The impact of the Atlantic Slave Trade on the Cultural Roles of West African Women� (2000),
The impact of the slave trade on Africa (1998), Le Monde diplomatique,
The Story of Africa (2003), BBC World Service, .
McNeill, J.R. & McNeill W. H. (2003), The Human Web. A bird’s-eye view of world history. Norton, USA.
Thomas, H. (1999). The Atlantic Slave trade: The Story of the Atlantic Slave trade. Sorbonne Publishers.
