The Slave Trade
The enslavement of Africans was a direct result of Europe’s unquenchable desire for power and more land. Mainly because increasing the empire became a symbol of wealth and power for the European nations, and Europe had seen how profitable their colonies could be. As the demand for tobacco, cotton, and sugar grew, Europe realized that they needed more labor to increase production in their colonies. Slavery became their solution, and with Europe’s push into the continent of Africa, they saw a viable means of obtaining that labor force.
Slavery is not a new concept. It has existed in many societies and cultures since the beginning of time. In many parts of the world, one could become an indentured slave because they were unable to repay a debt, and in Africa, slaves were the natural by-product of wars between tribes. The slavery which arose in Africa in the 16th century on the other hand is different because it was the willful capture and enslavement of an entire race of people for the sole purpose of profit. An entire trade grew out of the selling and buying of Africans which lasted for 300 years until the Union victory in the American Civil War.
The slave trade was not exclusive to Europeans. Various African tribes also participated actively in the slave trade by kidnapping and providing slaves to the European slave-traders. Initially, slaves were a by-product of tribal wars in Africa. Later, when Europeans approached the tribal chiefs to make trade agreements, slaves became a valuable commodity that could be traded with the Europeans for their guns, money, and other valuable European goods. As well, there was the reality that if the tribe decided not to trade with the Europeans, the Europeans would merely move on to another tribe. This would put them at the risk of becoming weaker than rival tribes who would be armed with superior European weapons, and backed by the money and support of Europeans who would wish to protect their partners and investments. This created a vicious cycle of greed, desperation, and need which continued to fuel the slave trade in Africa.
