The Atlantic Slave Trade Chapter 13-2 16th Century

Trade, Colonies, & Mercantilism After the arrival of Europeans into areas of the globe that had not been “discovered”, a clear negative impact can be seen in the native populations of the Americas & the Spice Islands (Moluccus). After the majority of the native populations of the regions died off or were forced to work in laborious conditions, it became clear that the people in charge of these “new” territories would be the Europeans. Europeans would set up a permanent settlement in their newly acquired lands known as colonies. Anything obtained in the colony belongs directly to the mother country that claimed that territory. i.e. , Gold Taken from Brazil (Colony) would be shipped back to Portugal (Mother Country)

Trade, Colonies, & Mercantilism A new economic theory was put into practice in the colonies known as mercantilism. This theory centered around the notion that Bullion (Gold & Silver) be collected from the colonies and sent back to their mother country. It also centers around the mother country exporting as many manufactured goods as possible.

Slave Trade The sugar industry quickly became one of the most profitable crop grown in the New World as demand in Europe spiked. Many European Kingdoms established plantations , or large agricultural estates that grew a specific crop, in this case sugar to maximize their profits. Sugar cultivation in a planataion style agricultural set up is very laboous work. Initially , Europeans used natives to work on these plantations, but as many of them died off a new need for “workers” forced Europeans to look elsewhere.

Slave Trade New trade routes came to existence after the “discovery” of the new world linking all these territories with an Atlantic Shore-line. Soon triangular trade developed between these regions. (Europe, Africa, The Americas) The more technologically advanced Europeans were traded such as weapons & manufactured goods with African Kingdoms who themselves practiced slavery for centuries. African Slaves were viewed as commodities to the Europeans who now needed new ‘workers” for their plantations in the Americas. Thus the portion of the triangular trade network used to take African slaves to the Americas became known as the Middle Passage.

Triangular Trade & the Middle Passage

Sources of Enslaved Africans The majority of the slaves that were traded to the Europeans were prisoners of war. In West Africa, when 2 tribes fought the survivors of the defeated tribe became slaves of the victorious tribe. After participating in the slave trade with Europeans it became clear to some African monarchs that they were coming up on the short end of trade as it was noticeable that the African population was decreasing.

Sources of Enslaved Africans In a letter written to the King of Portugal by African monarch, King Afonso of Congo tells the king “ So great is the corruption that our country is being completely depopulated.” Another African Culture that was hit hard by the Slave trade was the kingdom of Benin. A thriving society with segments associated with art & religious beliefs prior to the arrival of the Europeans lost their faith as a result of the slave trade. Not after many years did it dawn on Europeans that they were responsible for this.

King Afonso of Congo