1. Colonialism and the Slave Trade

2. European Influence
European explorers arrived in West Africa in the early 1400s.
They were looking for a water route to Asia. (faster than going around Africa)
Many traders were also attracted to the possibility of gold.

3. European Influence
In the mid 1500s, Europeans changed their focus from gold to….
Slaves
Europeans needed slaves for their colonies in the Americas.

4. Slave Trade Revisited
Europeans created trade routes between the Americas, Europe, and Africa.
What was this known as?
Triangular Trade.

5. Slave Trade Revisited
Europeans would sail to Africa and pick up captured Africans.
Most of those sold into slavery were sold by rival African tribes.
In exchange for slaves, Europeans often traded iron, guns, gold, and food.

6. Slave Trade Revisited
Europeans would then take the slaves to the Americas.
The slaves would be sold to colonists to work the land.
The money from the slaves could then be used to buy raw materials such as tobacco, sugar, cotton, and coffee.
The boats are then loaded up and taken back to Europe.

8. The Colonial Era
By the mid 1800s, the slave trade was coming to an end. European Industry was developing.
What do you need for factories?
Raw materials.
Europe was running out of Raw Materials

9. The Colonial Era
So, European countries began to grab land in Africa to support their industries with new sources of raw materials.