SYSTEMS OF SLAVERY 1450 -1750 Why would slavery be appealing to Europeans and how would they justify its use? 5 minutes to discuss

Introduction The Columbian Exchange united the Eastern and Western Hemispheres across the Atlantic and the African continent was drawn into the history of the Western hemisphere through the exchange of human beings. The result was the African’s, American’s, and Europeans in the America’s.

Characteristics of African Kingdoms Own political and court systems Trade included spices, ivory and textiles Slaves were usually prisoners of war or captives of salve raids done by neighboring kingdoms

Atlantic Slave Trade Portugal's search for gold and pepper in Africa brought them into contact with a slave trade system already in existence. Atlantic slave trade became an extension of African’s enslaving Africans Mid 15th century Portugal opened direct slave trade with sub-Saharan African Portugal's trade routes in Africa brought them into contact with African kingdoms of Congo, Benin, Mali and Sonhay

Slavery in Eastern and Southern Africa Cities of Eastern Africa traded with the interior of Africa for gold, ivory and slaves These slaves were traded through the Indian Ocean to the Middle East In southern Africa in the Dutch Cape Colony slave labor was used.

Slave Life Sugar production was the majority of the work Caused soil exhaustion and deforestation Introduced European and African plants and animals that crowded out the American ones Slaves were rewarded for good work and punished harshly for poor work Little rest, no education, little opportunity for family life Disease, harsh working conditions, and dangerous machinery made for short life expectancy “Free Blacks” = runaways (known as “maroons” on the Caribbean islands), women slaves impregnated by their masters (“manumission”)

The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade When native Americans died of European diseases Europeans turned to Africa for labor. Reached its peak in the 18th century with the Triangular Trade Guns and manufactured goods went from Europe to trade for slaves Slaves crossed the “Middle Passage” to South America and the West Indies Sugar, molasses, and rum products were produced by slave labor and traded for manufactured goods in Europe As many as 25% of slaves crossing the Atlantic died Only 5% of the 11 million slaves crossing the Atlantic went to North America

Effects of the Slave Trade Family life was disrupted as males were transported out Some areas of Africa populations were reduced by 50% Increased the dependency on the import of European goods and technology and led the way to colonization

Capitalism and Mercantilism Governments protected private enterprise in the Atlantic economy, Banks, joint-stock companies, stock exchanges, and insurance Dutch West India Company and French Royal Africa Company used military force to pursue royal dominance. Through a series of wars the Dutch were eventually broken of their trade monopolies by the French and the English