Industrialization Of African Slave Trade Essay

The industrializing of the West certainly had an impact on the world that would be long lasting; its effects on the African economy during this time also left its mark. As the West advanced, their needs and trade goods began to change. These changes along with the effects of the slave trade led to the African economy being “captured” or becoming dependent on the economy of the West. While the West, especially England, flourished during its industrialization the African economy gradually declined before becoming “captured” by colonialism. Leading up to the West’s industrializing, the African slave trade had been selling large numbers of African slaves; these African slaves were typically skilled workers or craftsmen. When viewing craft trade goods, some foreign traders were not necessarily interested in the product itself but rather the craftsman who made it. Due to this interest, skilled craftsmen that could have furthered their skill in Africa or teach that skill to others in the population were instead enslaved and traded to foreign lands (Mazrui, 1986). The African slave trade not only took away skilled people that could have helped the development of Africa, but also left Africa under populated. The West and Africa both gained wealth from the trans-Atlantic slave trade. …show more content…
With this “capture”, Africa was dependent on the West in regards for their economy, as it is doubtful that they were able to grow the crops they wanted and develop under European colonization. Africa probably did not fully realize what was happening until it was too late to prevent or stop it. If Africa had realized the situation or if the European colonies had assisted Africans in bettering their economy then it could very well have led to them being in better economic standing in modern times as