1. “Old Imperialism” and the Slave Trade
It’s effect on Africa

2. Need for Cheap Labor Native Slave labor system failed
Disease
They could escape – knew the land and could hide
African slaves had been bought and sold or centuries by Muslim Empires
The Portuguese were the first to realize the value of the slave trade
At first, wealthy Europeans sought slaves as domestic servants
Planters, needing cheap labor to replace Native Slaves, saw their answer in the African Slave Trade
Need for Cheap Labor

3. Slave Trade First slaves captured by raiding villages
Eventually, began trading with local rulers for prisoners of war
Horses
Weapons
Cloth
Finished goods
Lead to increased conflict throughout West and Equatorial Africa
Slave Trade

4. Triangle Trade

5. Effects of the Slave Trade
Human cost
10,000,000 – 12,000,000 Africans sold into slavers
Countless numbers died in battles, forced marches, in transit, or resisting
African Kingdoms
Entire communities were devastated
Many smaller tribes and societies disappeared
Continuous warfare among rival kingdoms for prisoners to sell as slaves
Economically dependent on European goods
African Diaspora
Spread of African people and culture across the globe
Especially the New World
Permanently changed the racial make-up of entire societies
Effects of the Slave Trade

6. Long-Term Effects of the Slave Trade Specifically in Africa
Sex-Ratio – since most slaves were male, societies left with few men
Population Growth – it is estimated that the population in Africa was half of what it should have been in 1850
Political Instability – since the population had been so decimated, political power became fragmented to local tribes/rulers.
Long-Term Effects of the Slave Trade Specifically in Africa

7. Long-Term Effects of the Slave Trade Specifically in Africa (cont.)
Societal “Weakness” – Instability and population issues hindered the growth of larger political/national structures, keeping Africa relatively weak (unlike power in Europe and Muslim World)
No Economic Development – As Industrialization and trade strengthened Europe and the Muslim World, Africa remained centuries behind
Loss of Identity – African descendants around the world, and even in parts of Africa, lost any sense of culture and identity. This makes unity among people even more difficult
Long-Term Effects of the Slave Trade Specifically in Africa (cont.)

8. THESE 6 EFFECTS MADE AFRICA SUSCEPTIBLE TO FUTURE EXPLOITATION
Europe will change its approach to Africa in the 1880’s starting with actions in the Congo by King Leopold of Belgium
Soon, all the major European Powers will return to Africa with a new mission!
“New Imperialism”