The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

Authors Avatar

The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade was the trade of African supplied to the colonies of New England occurred around the Atlantic Ocean. This lasted from the 16th century to the 19th century. Most slaves were shipped from West Indies, West Africa and Central Africa. Many European countries are involved in this. Spain, Portugal, Madeira, England, Brazil, France and Dutch are some countries that involved in slave trade. Between 9.4 and 12 million slaves arrived in New England. African slaves are considered unintelligent human being. However, they brought their culture and belief to the New World. Slaves are captured from many different places in Africa so they share many different ideas, belief. Slaves are needed by the American Colonist because of many reasons. Slaves suffered incredible hardships in the New World.

Slavery was actually practiced in Africa before the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Slave in Africa were war captives. They lose all of their personal rights. Their owner can make them do anything or sell them. Slavery can make lots of money which attracted many countries in Europe. During the 1440-1640, Portugal was the most successful slave trader but was weaken by the Dutch and English. Percentage of slave being exported increase over time. The American colonists also involve in slavery. About 3 percent of the slaves exported were traded between 1450 and 1600. More than 50 percent of them were exported in the 18th century and about 28.5 percent of them in the 19th century. African slaves are transported across the Atlantic Ocean to America. African slaves were transported to the Western hemisphere because of the demand for labor is high in America at that time. America most slave are live In Virginia and Mary land which is locate in the Chesapeake. Between 13,000 and 20,000 slaves were brought into Virginia between 1619 and 1697. About 96,000 African slaves arrived from 1698 to 1774 when the Atlantic slave trade into the Chesapeake ended. Some of them came from the West Indies. In the 18th century, about nine of ten slaves are arrived to Chesapeake directly from Africa or reshipped from West Indies. African slaves also come from other area as well. Chesapeake Slaves come from different part of Africa. Most of them come from the Bight of Biafra which is Nigeria or Cameroon.

Join now!

The Middle Passage and The Triangular Trade are part of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. The trans-Atlantic journey was called The Middle Passage. The Middle Passage was the middle portion of the triangular trade voyage. The captured slaves are forced to go on a filthy, hot and crowded ship. Most ships provided slaves with enough room to sit upright, but not enough to stand. Other slaves were forced to lie in chain with barely 20 inches space between them. Slave merchants Attempted to keep as many slaves alive as possible to maximize profits, but treatment was extremely cruel. Sick slaves were ...

This is a preview of the whole essay