Slavery in Africa and the Slave Trade U.S. History

Slavery In Western Africa As we discussed earlier, Europeans began to search beyond their borders for new trade routes and partners. Portuguese explorers were mainly looking for gold. When Portuguese sailors first sailed along the West African coast, they discovered that slavery already existed there. Europeans exploited the system of slavery that already existed.

Slavery In Western Africa Slavery was considered an accepted part of life in Africa. Kings and other rulers in Western Africa would enslave enemy soldiers, criminals, or other undesirable people. Many slaves would be traded to merchants (mainly Arab…AIR-RUB not A- RAAB) in exchange for goods. Slavery in Africa was still violent and unfair, but was nowhere as brutal as the system of slavery that would develop in the Americas. About 1000 slaves per year Children of slaves did not remain slaves There was some upward mobility Wealth was possible NOT BASED ON RACE!

The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Beginning in the 1400’s, Europeans began removing large numbers of slaves from Africa. Originally, these slaves were sent to small islands in the Atlantic that the Portuguese controlled (Azores, Canary islands.) However, once the Americas were discovered, many were shipped there. By 1550, about 1,800 slaves were being taken from Africa per year and shipped throughout the world This is known as the Slave Trade.