Transatlantic Slave Trade Research Paper

The transatlantic slave trade is often regarded as the first system of globalization. It is very unique within the universal history of slavery. Its duration lasted approximately for four centuries. Black African men, women, and children were the main people victimized during this. The intellectual legitimization attempted on its behalf was the development of an anti-black ideology and its legal organization. It involved several regions and continents such as Africa, America, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Indian Ocean. As a commercial and economic enterprise, the slave trade provides a dramatic example of the consequences resulting from particular intersections of history and geography. The ships left Western Europe for Africa loaded with goods which were to be exchanged for slaves. Upon their arrival in Africa the captains traded their merchandise for captive slaves. Weapons and gun powder were the most important commodities but textiles, pearls and other manufactured goods, as well as rum, were also in high demand. The exchange could last from one week to several months. The second step was the crossing of the Atlantic. Africans were transported to America …show more content…
Most African slaves went through a period of "seasoning" in the Caribbean before being brought to America. Upon reaching the West Indies, the slaves were fed and cleaned in the hopes of bringing a high price on the block. Those that could not be sold were left for dead. The slaves were then transported to their final destination. It was in this unspeakable manner that between ten and twenty million Africans were introduced to the New World. Slaves were fed twice daily and some captains made vain attempts to clean the hold at this time. Air holes were cut into the deck to allow the slaves breathing air, but these were closed in stormy conditions. The bodies of the dead were simply thrust overboard. And yes, there were