African Slave Trade
Slavery had existed in Africa for centuriesWell established slave trade with Indian
OceanAtlantic slave trade, much larger numbers
in a condensed period of time
Slavery had existed in Africa for centuriesWell established slave trade with Indian
OceanAtlantic slave trade, much larger numbers
in a condensed period of time
Early Modern Africa
Regional kingdoms and imperial statesGhana
Controlled/taxed gold-salt trade Influenced by Muslim traders, but not a Muslim
stateMali
Founded by SundiataMansa Musa -
rulers become MuslimCity of Timbuktu
Regional kingdoms and imperial statesGhana
Controlled/taxed gold-salt trade Influenced by Muslim traders, but not a Muslim
stateMali
Founded by SundiataMansa Musa -
rulers become MuslimCity of Timbuktu
Songhay/SonghaiUndermined MaliLargest w. African empireConverted to IslamConquered by musket wielding Moroccans Internal rebellion
Songhay/SonghaiUndermined MaliLargest w. African empireConverted to IslamConquered by musket wielding Moroccans Internal rebellion
Central & South Africa
Kongo (Zaire River) 1300’s Interacted with PortugueseAdopted ChristianityUnhappy about Portuguese slave trade,
unable to effectively stop it 1700’s - demise of Kongo
Kongo (Zaire River) 1300’s Interacted with PortugueseAdopted ChristianityUnhappy about Portuguese slave trade,
unable to effectively stop it 1700’s - demise of Kongo
Ndongo (Angola)
Built up on wealth from trade w/PortugueseQueen NzingaMilitary queenMade alliance w/Dutch against PortugueseKeep Portuguese at bay until after her death
Built up on wealth from trade w/PortugueseQueen NzingaMilitary queenMade alliance w/Dutch against PortugueseKeep Portuguese at bay until after her death
Islam & Christianity
Indigenous religions tended to be animistic Islam adopted via trade rather than
conquest, less strict form in South Africa
Indigenous religions tended to be animistic Islam adopted via trade rather than
conquest, less strict form in South Africa
Atlantic Slave Trade
Too few Portuguese in Portugal to provide colonial settlers
No indigenous populations in several colonies
Sugar plantations needed large labor forces
By 1500’s - well established slave trade
Too few Portuguese in Portugal to provide colonial settlers
No indigenous populations in several colonies
Sugar plantations needed large labor forces
By 1500’s - well established slave trade
Middle Passage
Transport of slaves across AtlanticHorrible inhuman conditionsMortality rates could average 50%Overtime, death rate averaged 25%Estimates 12 million + slaves arrived in
New World
Transport of slaves across AtlanticHorrible inhuman conditionsMortality rates could average 50%Overtime, death rate averaged 25%Estimates 12 million + slaves arrived in
New World
Social Effects
“brain drain”Decline of some culturesAdvancements of othersChanged gender rolesEncouraged polygamy Increased warfare in Africa
“brain drain”Decline of some culturesAdvancements of othersChanged gender rolesEncouraged polygamy Increased warfare in Africa
Plantation Society
Clear social strata based on color and jobsCaribbean & Central/South America
slavery more dependent on importation5% went to North America
Larger # of female slavesEncouraged family units and breeding
Clear social strata based on color and jobsCaribbean & Central/South America
slavery more dependent on importation5% went to North America
Larger # of female slavesEncouraged family units and breeding
Slave Resistance
Runaways (maroons)Revolts
Slaves outnumbered colonistsColonists had superior technologyHaiti (late 1700’s) only successful slave revolts
Runaways (maroons)Revolts
Slaves outnumbered colonistsColonists had superior technologyHaiti (late 1700’s) only successful slave revolts
African American Culture
Creole cultureNew religions - ie Vodou Preserved and created musical forms
Creole cultureNew religions - ie Vodou Preserved and created musical forms
End of the Slave Trade
Abolition mov’ts dev. early onSlave labor became less economicalDecreasing commodity prices Increased interest in Africa properEarly 1800’s - most countries banned
slave tradeSlavery legally existed until 1960’sToday - all countries officially ban slavery
Abolition mov’ts dev. early onSlave labor became less economicalDecreasing commodity prices Increased interest in Africa properEarly 1800’s - most countries banned
slave tradeSlavery legally existed until 1960’sToday - all countries officially ban slavery