Africa in the Atlantic Slave Trade

Factories (forts)- along the West coast of Africa Portuguese Factories (forts)- along the West coast of Africa Act as centers for trade and mission work Benin, Kongo El Mina- the most important due to its gold trade Moves South in 16th century Luanda in Angola Establish ports on the Mozambique Coast Access to gold

Dutch, English, and French Seize El Mina, 1630 Rival Portuguese Enlgish Slave trade from 1660s French 18th century Initially Europeans raided for slaves, but found it more profitable to trade for human cargo Slave trade grows significantly as the American plantation colonies grew Esp Brazil Between 1450-1850 12 million Africans are sent to the New World 10-20% mortality rate

The Atlantic Slave Trade Slaves were needed most in Caribbean & Latin America due to high mortality & low fertility rates Opposite in Southern US Slave pop in British N. America = ¼ Slave pop in British & French Caribbean = 80-90% Slave trade was going on outside of the Atlantic by Muslim traders as well

Demographic Patterns Majority of sub-Saharan slaves consisted of women to be used for concubines or domestic servants in N. Africa & Middle East Mostly men in Atlantic Slave Trade due to hard labor African societies preferred to sale male captives & kept women/children

Organization of Trade Control of the slave trade reflected the political situation in Europe Portuguese were first from 15th- mid 17th centuries Dutch were a major competitor when they seized El Mina in 1637 British charter the Royal African Company 1660’s Own source of slaves for Jamaica, Barbados, & Virginia

French becomes a major carrier in 18th century Most Europeans stationed on the African coast & on slave ships died of tropical diseases Malaria Both Europeans & Africans actively involved in the slave trade

Triangular Trade Triangular Trade Slaves carried to the Americas Sugar, tobacco, & other goods carried to Europe European goods sent to Africa Slave trade was essential to economic growth & emergence of capitalism