Atlantic Slave Trade and the Columbian Exchange

Causes of Slave Trade Existed in Africa for centuries. Spread of Islam into Africa increased slave trade. As colonization of the Americas spread, slave trade grew.

European Advantages in using Africans in America Immunity to European diseases. Experienced farmers. Less likely to escape. Not natives Skin color

Atlantic Slave Trade The buying and selling of Africans for work in the Americas

Atlantic Slave Trade Spain, Portugal, and England The role of African Rulers

Triangular Trade Trade route one: Manufactured goods to W. Africa. Goods traded for captured Africans. Africans were taken across the Atlantic and sold in the W. Indies. Sugar, coffee, and tobacco brought back to Europe.

Triangular Trade Trade route two: Rum and goods from New England colonies to Africa. Goods traded for Africans. Slaves taken to the West Indies and sold for sugar and molasses. Sugar and molasses taken back to the rum producers in New England.

Middle Passage Considered middle leg of the transatlantic triangle trade. Horrific treatment: whippings, beatings, diseases, starvation, suicide.

Consequences Africa Lost fittest members Families torn apart Introduced guns Americas Economic growth Cultural development

Columbian Exchange Global transfer of foods, plants, and animals during the colonization of the Americas.

Mercantilism Economic policy: countries increased wealth and power by obtaining large amounts of gold and silver. Sell more goods than you buy. Goal: Become as rich as possible