In retrospect, while the African was busy chasing after ‘scarlet handkerchiefs’, little did s/he know that s/he was actually being systematically adapted towards raising cotton, sugar and other crops in the New World (Abodunrin, 2008:4). Furthermore, Abodunrin (2008:5), informs that prior to this time, to meet the need for a constant supply of cheap labour, the Europeans first turned to the aborigines and then to Africa. The reason for this U-turn in European thought could be found in the various mythical conceptions of the “African personality”. Some myths claimed that Blacks have been ordained by God to be perpetual slaves of the Whites, while another credited to Batholome de Las Casas, Bishop of Chiapa, Mexico, claimed that the work done by four American Indians could be done by one African. These myths, explains Abodunrin (2008:4), even though given the powerful support of religion which reified them to the level of divine essence, does not contradict the analysis of the historic contact of Europe and Africa as being primarily economic.
They argue that Europeans saw African Americans like themselves and not like Africans form Africa. The fourth essay was written by David Eltis its titled “The Cultural Roots of African Slavery”. He argues that Africans were not just enslaved for economic purposes but he also argues that it would have been cheaper to enslave Europeans and bring them in New World. Lastly, the most likely explanation of why were Africans enslaved was David Eltis’s argument. That stated Africans were not just enslaved for economic purposes but he also argues that it would have been cheaper to enslave Europeans and bring them in New World.
Especially, Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade (Triangular Slave Trade) not only highly affected the continent but also left it with sophisticated disputes for the continuing generation because it depopulated the continent and morally undermined the peoples. Since the 18th century, even though some European governments had attempted to be abolished slave trade activities by laws; the more bad condition (colonization) could come to replace the slave trade and other trade activities. The reason is that the objective of the slave trade was to use African labor outside Africa; whereas that of colonization was to exploit their labor on their own land, in Africa, and to get the market for industrial commodities. Colonization affected the African histories, cultures and traditions and identities, and shaped the societies with European modes of life. Due to this, Africans were considered as uncivilized societies that had already psychologically and morally marginalized the people.
Europeans took Africans at will, taking people who would be leading societies in Africa, removing the best of individuals from societies that needed them for their functioning. By doing so, indirectly Europeans hindered the development of African societies and caused them to stagnate. Routes like the Triangular Trade were established, which shipped goods to Africa in exchange for slaves, and shipped those slaves to the New World for production of even more goods. When the Europeans had showed up to Africa, major trade hubs that spanned the Sahara to Egypt, existed, trading spices, salt, and other luxuries (Lect. 2, 1/22).
Beginning in the late 1400’s, many different European explorers started to look for new trade routes in the Eastern Hemisphere in order to gain economic and religious power. The Portuguese exploration along the West African coast led to the creation of the
The need for a larger work force peaked as the Europeans expansion lacked a sufficient amount of laborers as a vital resource. Europeans viewed Africans as exceptional workers due to their experience with agriculture and farming. Africans were also experienced in working in warm climates that often meant they were more resistant to diseases. The most common explanation during the existence of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade for why Africans were best suited and chosen as early slaves is that they were reputed as being great workers in
Most slaves were on small farms and there was a form of sawbuck equality as they worked hand in hand with the whites. Blacks even fought as soldiers in the Yamasee war and defended the southern colonies. The beginning of the 1700s brought on a new desire to export staple crops from the southern region which caused an unprecedented upswing in the importation of the African slaves. Small farms were transformed into large plantations full of swamps and malaria. The vast majority of Africans in the American south became physically and psychologically separated from the European Americans unlike in the north where they were much closer.
The slave trade was a vital component of the colonizing world, beginning with the Dutch's first voyage in 1628. As the decades progressed, so did the number of African slaves brought to North, Central, and South America. These slaves replaced the indigenious servants once used for labor in the mining and agriculture industry; they provided a stable labor source for gold mining in Brazil and sugar production in the Carribean. Since history is not an arbitry unconnected concept, the event of slavery during the salve trade has major implications in contemporary society, lagely affecting the indigenious and slave populations of the America. The largest impact is simply the continued oppression of African decendents in the class system of society because of their connection to slavery.
Little by little European cultures started to occupy the tradition of Africa. It was clearly exposed in the novel “A Bend in the River” that politics was the main reason for the changes. The use of French in many official places, the creation of ‘New Domain’ and the new education system were all the signs of European culture. Even the President of Africa, the lover of his native language used French words in his speeches. All this changes caused the feuds and violence.
In addition, Europeans later took control of the Atlantic Slave Trade by trading slaves to North Americas, South America, and the Caribbeans. Europe then colonized and conquered some parts of Africa, and began trading any African to different nations. As for the slaves themselves, they faced unimaginable brutality. They were marched to the slave ports on the coast, shaved and branded onto ships. The times in the ships were very cruel, in fact, there was many diseases which led to