african slave trade world history by: derrick caples

African Slave Trade

World History

By: Derrick Caples

African Slave Trade

• The slave trade in Africa existed for thousands of years. The first main route passed through the Sahara, tying in to the Arab slave trade.

• African slaves became part of the Atlantic slave trade, from which comes the modern, Western conception of slavery as an institution of African-descended slaves and non-African slave owners.

The Sahara

Over View

In most African societies, there was very little difference between the free peasants and the feudal vassal peasants. Vassals of the Songhai Empire were used primarily in agriculture; they paid tribute to their masters in crop and service but they were slightly restricted in custom and convenience. These non-free people were more an occupational caste, as their bondage was relative.

Terms

Caste- are hereditary systems of occupation, social culture, social class, and political power.

Bondage- is a generic or collective term for those work relations, in which people are employed against their will by the threat of detention, or violence (including death), or other extreme hardship to themselves, or to members of their families.

Slavery In Africa

"Slavery",referred to by people, in African cultures was more like indentured servitude: "slaves" were not made to be enslaved for life.

African "slaves" were paid wages and were able to accumulate property. They often bought their own freedom and could then achieve social promotion.

Term

An indentured servant- is a form of debt bondage worker. The laborer is under contract of an employer for usually three to seven years, in exchange for their transportation, food, drink, clothing, lodging and other necessities.

Unlike a slave, an indentured servant is required to work only for a limited term specified in a signed contract

Slavery Vs Indentured Servant

Slavery In Ethiopia (Men)

Ethiopian slavery was essentially domestic.

Slaves served in the houses of their masters or mistresses, were not employed for any productive purpose. Slaves were regarded as second-class members of their owners' family, and were fed, clothed and protected.

Slavery In Ethiopia (Women)

Women were taken as sex slaves. They generally roamed around freely and conducted business as free people. They had complete freedom of religion and culture.

Slavery In Ethiopia

Slavery continued in Ethiopia until the Italian invasion in October 1935, when the institution was abolished by order of the Italian occupying forces.

In response to pressure by Western Allies of World War II, Ethiopia officially abolished slavery and involuntary servitude after having regained its independence in 1942.

Slave Trading In Africa

Trans Saharan Trade- where slaves were transported North.

Frequent intermarriages meant that the slaves were assimilated in North Africa.

Term

Cultural assimilation- is when an individual or individuals adopts some or all aspects of a dominant culture (such as its religion, language, norms, values etc.). Cultural assimilation is a process of socialization. It can be a voluntary process, but can also sometimes be the result of involuntary political decisions.

Indian Ocean Trade

This trade accelerated as superior ships led to more trade and greater demand for labor on plantations in the region.

Term

Plantation- is usually a large farm or estate, on which cotton, tobacco, coffee, sugar cane and the like are cultivated, usually by resident laborers.

Atlantic Ocean Trade

Started as a idea to grow sugar

Offered gold and spices, and also metal cookware, rum, livestock, and seed grain

Followed by laborers for farming and mining