The Atlantic Slave Trade Europeans needed slave labor

The Atlantic Slave Trade • Europeans needed slave labor in their colonies to grow crops, mine, etc. – Native Americans were used, but many died due to disease • Death rate due to disease was extremely high – Africans replaced the Natives as the main source of slave labor for the Europeans • Completely changed the trade relationship between Europe and Africa

The Atlantic Slave Trade Timeline • 1500 -1600 s – Spain and Portugal began the trade • 1600 -1700 s – Slave Trade grows dramatically • 1690 – England increases the Slave Trade • 1870 – The Atlantic Slave Trade ends

Atlantic Slave Trade Effects • Begins a system of “Triangular Trade” – Africa, Europe, and Americas all participate • African rulers and traders made deals with Europeans for slaves – Introduction of guns into African continent – Western African economy and empires crumbled – Slaves are transported through the “Middle Passage”

Triangular Trade

The Middle Passage

The Middle Passage • The Slave Ships – The captain could be a “tight” or “loose” packer • “Tight” meant slaves would be placed lying on each other • Typically 20 percent or more Africans would die on the way to the New World • Disease, malnutrition, beatings, suicide • Once in the New World – Slaves were auctioned of to the highest bidder – This could easily separate families – Slavery was a life-long condition, as well as hereditary

The Middle Passage

Slavery in the New World • Slave Resistance – Slaves tried to keep their cultural heritage – Musical traditions – Ancestral stories • Slave Rebellion – Often broke tools or worked slowly – Many ran away – Numerous revolts throughout the years

The Growth of Global Trade • Economic systems of Europe drastically changed • Colonial empires that stretched through multiple continents led to a new business and trade practices – Capitalism – Joint-Stock Companies

What is Capitalism? • Economic system based on private ownership and the investment of resources, such as money, for profit – Economic system where things are owned by people or an individual, not by a government • Profits allow individuals and businesses to become extremely wealthy, not just the government

What is a Joint-Stock Company? • A business in which a number of investors combine their wealth for a common purpose – Very similar to a modern-day corporation • Early on in the 1500 -1600 s the purpose was colonization – Overseas colonies were very expensive, but could be very profitable

Changes in European Society • Exploration and colonization led to an economic growth and boom in Europe – Spurred the growth of towns and cities – Rise of the merchant class with great wealth – European nations became very wealthy • Power monarchs increased greatly • Majority of Europeans still remained poor and rural, however

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