What were some of the ways in which the Atlantic slave trade affected African and American societies from the 1400s to the 1800s?
1 Answer
Most importantly, it was a major economic benefit to societies on both continents, if not the individual slaves.
Explanation:
First of all, don't get trapped into a mindset of localized slavery either by geography or historical period. Slavery was widespread (and exists today, unfortunately) throughout much of human history.
Slaves provided an economic benefit to the owners by providing substantially more in work output than they took from the economy in terms of maintenance. The provided a direct economic benefit to the slavers - both the original captors and the subsequent chain of middle-men bringing them to the American markets.
The slave trade between Africa and the Americas the 15th - 17th centuries created a larger incentive to African leaders to "wage wars" for the purpose of capturing more slaves for sale. This may have exacerbated existing (and continuing) tribal animosities.
It certainly was necessary for the amount and type of economic growth in the Southern part of North America, which also enhanced the overall economic condition of the Northern States as well through trade in goods.
Ultimately, it created a division in American society as well due to the conflict of the moral and legal differences espoused by different groups of people.
