African Diaspora: The Forced Migration of Nations THE LARGEST IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD

Who Can We Blame? Portugal: Begins to establish “factories” by 1480

The Largest Reason for Massive Slave Imports SUGAR!!! Required huge amounts of labor Europe gained a sweet-tooth. From = 12 million Africans shipped to America 1700s = 80% of the slaves shipped Sweet tooth developed by the 18 th century Which region received few slaves in comparison?

Southern Colonies of North America By comparison, few slaves shipped to North America Why? The slave population grew in the North America due to birth rates In South America, they had to have a constant flow to make up for dead slaves Brazil received 42% of all slaves (most) By the end, Africa’s total population had been cut in half (from around 50 million to 25 million)

Why So Many? Once other European nation realized the massive wealth opportunities, they wanted a piece of the human slave-trade pie Could make as much as 300% profit from 1 journey English = Royal African Company Dutch = Dutch East India Company Competition between European Nations helped them dominate the world

Effects: Environmental More profitable to clear new lands when old fields decline in productivity Led to Deforestation; by 1800 only interior lands still had dense forests New animals introduced started to crowd- out native species Little land left for Native populations

Effects: Human Africa’s West Coast lost entire villages/towns Slave journey was degrading, horrifying and unforgettably painful Many commit suicide due to trauma Up to 18 hours of work per day Many workers die within a few months of work If work is slow, whipped/flogged/mutilated Family formation difficult (few female slaves) Life expectancy: Males 23; Females 25.5

How was Slavery Justified? Bible (Curse of Ham) [Genesis 9:20-27] Paul supported Slavery [Titus 2:9-10] Slavery produced massive amounts of wealth People are not born equal Whites: Slaves were “content” (they sang) Whites: “Slaves live better lives than in Africa.”