The Atlantic Slave Trade

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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

2
The Atlantic Slave Trade Timeline

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

3
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

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Triangular Trade
5
The Middle Passage
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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

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The Middle Passage
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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

9
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

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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

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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 1500-1600s the purpose was
  colonization
• Overseas colonies were very expensive, but could
  be very profitable

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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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END