1. The African Slave Trade

3. Introduction
Africans had been involved in slave trade prior to colonization of Americas
Most pre-industrial societies (including Africa) practiced slavery

5. The African Slave Trade
Before the Atlantic slave trade began, slavery took many forms
Voluntary
Debtors
“Chattel” = viewed as property
African slaves went to two parts of the world:
The Western Hemisphere
Islamic Lands (Middle East & India)

6. Trade to ISLAMIC Lands Developed prior to Atlantic slave trade
Fewer slaves than Atlantic system
Many slaves were female
Became household servants or part of a harem
Could become wives for wealthy individuals
Males used as laborers or to fight in armies
Rarely hereditary

7. Trade to the Americas
Slaves were needed due to loss of Native American laborers (warfare, disease, etc.)
Process of transporting slaves could be very expensive (shipwrecks, disease, mutiny, piracy, etc.)

8. The Atlantic Circuit (Triangular Trade)
First leg: Manufactured goods (guns, textiles, etc.) from Europe to Africa
Second leg (the Middle Passage): African slaves to the New World
Third leg: Plantation goods (cash crops, raw materials, etc.) back to Europe
Involved the movement of goods, wealth, and free and unfree laborers, and the mixing of African, American, and European cultures and peoples

10. Plantation Systems in the Americas
Located in Brazil, the Caribbean and southern North America
Increased the demand for slaves in the Americas
Mostly male
Produced cash crops
Sugar cane, tobacco, etc.
Expensive

12. Demographic and Environment Changes
Major population shifts
A rise in the population of Europe
A decrease in the population of the Americas
No overall population decreased in Africa

14. The Atlantic Economy 15th and 16th century Atlantic trade
Controlled by Spanish and Portuguese governments
American silver to Europe and Asia
Expensive and inefficient

15. The Atlantic Economy In the 17th and 18th centuries
Controlled by British, French and Dutch
Royal governments developed privately owned charter companies
Monopolies
Joint-stock companies
More efficient and profitable
Promoted mercantilism