Slavery is a big part of our world’s history yet, often times, it is misunderstood by many. In order to completely understand slavery, we must first understand the origins of slavery. Slavery just did not emerge or just happened; it was created by people, and in order to support their ideas, they also created a legal and political system with it. The first slaves came from Africa to Europe with King Henry in the 1430s. Eventually, the slave trade spread to Barbados, and it reached all the way to North America in South Carolina and in West Virginia. In addition, even the New England colonies who claims to being uninvolved in slavery had a connection to Barbados by providing some of the diet of the slaves and through trading sugar or the syrup
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His experience tells a lot about the different aspects of the slave trade, as well as the various perspective of people at the time. As Strayer says, Olaudah’s experience as a slave was unusual. It all began when he was “seized from his home at age 11 and sold into the Atlantic slave trade” (Strayer). Naturally, this was a horrifying experience for him, especially when he got separated with his sister. Olaudah had 3 different owners, and 2 that treated him alright. The first family “all used [him] extremely well” and they also did everything they could to comfort him, especially the first wife who was like his mother (Strayer). The second family also treated him like he was part of their family. For instance, he ate first, because he was the oldest, which astonished him. He was in a happy state, and even sometimes he forgets that he’s a slave (Strayer). Of course, he also suffered terribly especially during the times when he thought a good family will finally take him in, but instead, he gets taken away. I think what makes Olaudah’s experience so compelling is that it shows that his journey was not all bad and the fact that he was able to learn how to read and write and became a “prominent voice” in the abolitionist movement is astounding (Strayer). Olaudah’s experience is just one of the many perspectives that surround the slave trade, another one that’s also important is the kings and …show more content…
Documents 14.3 and 14.4 demonstrates contrasting ideas of two kings and their country’s participation of the slave trade. For example, the view on slave trade in the Kingdom of Kongo is very different than any other places during that time like in Asante. This is because King Affonso I despite having a strong alliance with Portugal, believed that “there should not be any trade of slaves nor outlet for them” in his Kingdom (Strayer). King Affonso also mentions how the Portuguese are illegally getting free people and making them slaves by immediately branding them, so they won’t recognize if they are actually free or slaves. In addition, he threatened to close their trading if they don’t follow his law of asking the noblemen and officials permission before purchasing goods. It is evident from this document that he wanted the slave trade to be Kongo’s business and not the Portuguese’s. In contrary, document 14.4 demonstrates yet another viewpoint of a leader. The King of Asante was very disappointed when the British stopped buying slaves in response to the expanding abolitionist movement (Strayer). Osei Bonsu’s mentions several reasons in the conversation with Joseph Dupuis, including the wealth that his Kingdom gets from the slave trade. The major reason, however, is that the slave trade helps in regulating the slave population in Osei Bonsu’s kingdom,
His experience tells a lot about the different aspects of the slave trade, as well as the various perspective of people at the time. As Strayer says, Olaudah’s experience as a slave was unusual. It all began when he was “seized from his home at age 11 and sold into the Atlantic slave trade” (Strayer). Naturally, this was a horrifying experience for him, especially when he got separated with his sister. Olaudah had 3 different owners, and 2 that treated him alright. The first family “all used [him] extremely well” and they also did everything they could to comfort him, especially the first wife who was like his mother (Strayer). The second family also treated him like he was part of their family. For instance, he ate first, because he was the oldest, which astonished him. He was in a happy state, and even sometimes he forgets that he’s a slave (Strayer). Of course, he also suffered terribly especially during the times when he thought a good family will finally take him in, but instead, he gets taken away. I think what makes Olaudah’s experience so compelling is that it shows that his journey was not all bad and the fact that he was able to learn how to read and write and became a “prominent voice” in the abolitionist movement is astounding (Strayer). Olaudah’s experience is just one of the many perspectives that surround the slave trade, another one that’s also important is the kings and …show more content…
Documents 14.3 and 14.4 demonstrates contrasting ideas of two kings and their country’s participation of the slave trade. For example, the view on slave trade in the Kingdom of Kongo is very different than any other places during that time like in Asante. This is because King Affonso I despite having a strong alliance with Portugal, believed that “there should not be any trade of slaves nor outlet for them” in his Kingdom (Strayer). King Affonso also mentions how the Portuguese are illegally getting free people and making them slaves by immediately branding them, so they won’t recognize if they are actually free or slaves. In addition, he threatened to close their trading if they don’t follow his law of asking the noblemen and officials permission before purchasing goods. It is evident from this document that he wanted the slave trade to be Kongo’s business and not the Portuguese’s. In contrary, document 14.4 demonstrates yet another viewpoint of a leader. The King of Asante was very disappointed when the British stopped buying slaves in response to the expanding abolitionist movement (Strayer). Osei Bonsu’s mentions several reasons in the conversation with Joseph Dupuis, including the wealth that his Kingdom gets from the slave trade. The major reason, however, is that the slave trade helps in regulating the slave population in Osei Bonsu’s kingdom,