TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE

ORIGIN
the initial start of the trade was not characterized with cruelty. The Portuguese took their first cargo of
slaves from Rio De Oro to Portugal in 1492. the prince receives them with great enthusiasm to
christianized and educate the most talented among them and sent them back to their countries as
missionaries.
However, this peace nature of slave trade was altered with discovery of America and the Western
Indies by the Spanish in 1492. soon after the discovery of the new world, Gold and Silver mines were
opened and sugar tobacco and cotton plantations established by the Spaniards and later by other
European nations. At first labour for the plantations and mines were obtained locally from among the
native population of America {the red indies} or by deporting debtors or criminals from Europe. It to
be realized that the European labourers could not stand the climate and the strains of working in the
tropics. The white workers also fell victims of tropical disease, nor were the Indians alone able to
supply the increasing demands for labour in the new world. It was against this backdrop that Bishop
Las Casas and other suggested that West African could supply the labour force required through the
slave trade which was already flourishing between it and Europe. Thus in 1510, the first considerable
number of African slaves was exported. This was the beginning of the full scale Atlantic Slave trade to
America. The success of this experiment opened the gate for the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade which
lasted up to the second half of the 19th century before it was finally stamped out.

ORGANIZATION OF THE SLAVE TRADE

The Trans- Atlantic Slave trade is sometimes refer to as the triangular slave trade. It was so-called
because the ship engaged in it made it three stages in the course of each voyage.

-The first stage was from Europe to Guinea coast with ship carrying European products which were
exchange for slaves.
-The second stage usually referred to the middle passage was from West Africa to the West Indies or
the Americas where Negro slaves were exchanged for Sugar, Tobacco and cotton.
-The final stage was from the new world to Europe with the ships carrying their cargoes of raw
materials which were sold to the manufacturers in Europe.

It is noteworthy that, the enslavement and the sold of African from the 17th century onward was
carried out by African themselves, especially the coastal kings and leaders and that very few European
actually ever marched inland captured slaves themselves.
THE FOUR MAIN WAYS IN WHICH AFRICAN WERE ENSLAVED
1. The criminals sold by chief as punishment.
2. free African obtained from raids by African rulers and few European gangs captured them from
kidnapping.
3. domestic slave resold
4. Prisoners of wars.

EFFECTS OF THE ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE

The slave has been described as the greatest crimes committed by humanity against humanity. The
African who were victims of this hideous traffic of slaves from West Africa to the New World were
exposed to all sorts of inhuman-treatment for over three hundred years.
SOCIALLY, the victims were reduced to the levels of beasts from the interior to the coast of West
Africa; than across the Atlantic ocean to the new world and finally on the plantation in the new world.
This did not only effects population growth but gave rise to an atmosphere of general insecurity in West
Africa.
 ECONOMICALLY, the slave trade did not confer benefits of any kind of West Africa on the
contrary, the atmosphere of insecurity hindered the development of indigenous industries and
agriculture. All these problems associated with the slave prepared the stages for its abolition.

SUPPRESSION OF THE SLAVE TRADE

It is ironically that, the British who had signed the Assiento Agreement {1713} with Spain to supply
about 5000 slaves each year to the Spanish new world, championed the course for the abolition of the
trade in the 19th century. The following account shows the steps which led the abolition of slave trade.
1. Britain led the way in the abolition of the slave trade. A start was made with Mansfield decision in
1772 by which a run away slave James Somerset became free.
2. the act of 1807 by the British parliament which made slaves illegal for the British subjects. Other
nations like U.S.A in 1808, Sweden in 1813, Holland in 1817 followed the British example.
3. the British Anti- slave trade naval squardrom which was a British navy patrolled on the sea to
enforce the anti- slave trade law.
4. international Treaties {diplomatic efforts} negotiated by Britain with other European nations for
combine actions against the trade. eg. the reciprocal search treaties and the equipment treaties as well
as treaties with African Chiefs.
5. the abolition of slavery in the plantations in west indies for example Britain abolished in the British
west indies in 1833. other European followed suits such as France in 1848, Spain in 1847, Brazil 1885
and America 1863.
6. European colonization of the interior I.e protectorate declaration. This helped to stamp out the trade
from its roots.

CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES ACTIVITIES IN WEST AFRICA

Closely linked to the spread of European influence and growth in West Africa was the introduction
of Christianity by the missionaries who accompanied the merchants.
Initially, the missionaries were mainly from Portugal. In the course of time, however, other European
nations also developed interest in Africa and as a result sent missionaries into Africa for Evangelical
activities. Among some of these early missionary societies were the Church Missionary Societies
C.M.S, the British Missionary Society, the Society for Propagation of the Gospel, the Wesleyan
Missionary Society, the Basel Missionary Society and the Bremen Mission {from North Germany}.

THE ROLE OF THE CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES IN THE ABOLITION OF SLAVE TRADE IN

WEST AFRICA
1. Evangelical bodies like the Quakers, Wesleyan and Angelical e.t.c preached and opposed the trade as
being against the law of God and humanity
2. in 1774, the Quakers took the leading role by liberating their slaves both in England and the
colonies.
3. the missionaries bodies formed the anti-slave trade associations to opposed any form of slavery and
slave trade e.g Wesleyan’s evangelical movement .
4. the christian missionaries published literature to exposed the evils of the trade. For example ,
Richard Baxter condemned slave hunters as the “Common enemies of mankind” in his christian
directory published in 1673.
5. christian missionary bodies like the Angelical Methodists e.t.c tabled anti-slave trade motions in the
national assembly and parliament which put pressure on the European government to stop the trade.
6. they introduced western education to re-orientate the minds of Africans against the evil practice like
slave trade.
7. they encouraged legitimate trade. Some missionaries set up large farms in West Africa, introduced
new seedlings to West African farmers and even taught them modern techniques in agriculture so as to
discourage them from the slave trade.
8. some of the missionaries also challenged slavery in the courts which enlightened many to see the
trade as evil.
8. they championed the idea of establishing a place that served as a home for the freed slaves e.g Sierra
Leone and Liberia.

CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES

Christian missionaries in west Africa can be divided into two phases. These are christian
missionary activities before the 19th century and christian missionary activities in the 19th century.

MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE THE 19TH CENTURY

The Portuguese were the first European to extend or to bring Christianity to West Africa in the
th
15 century. The catholic Portuguese first converted kings and traditional rulers with the hope that their
subjects will follow their examples. Thought they succeed in few areas, their efforts was largely a
failure during this period.

REASONS FOR THE FAILURE OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE THE 19TH
CENTURY
1. Converts received little instruction before baptism.
2. converts still liked their African religions.
3. most natives who were Muslims rejected Christianity.
4. poor transport system prevented missionaries from reaching remote areas.
5. Bad unfavourable climate and disease killed many missionaries.
6. There was language bareer as well.

MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES IN THE 19TH CENTURY

While the Portuguese catholic made a sole effort in the first era of Christianity in West Africa,
the protestants of Europe and America initiated the second phase.
In the 19th century, missionary societies were born in Europe and America. The aim was to
spread the christian faith abroad. As a result they sent a lot of missionaries out to West Africa. Sierra
Leone became the base for the spread of missionary activities to other parts of West Africa.

REASONS FOR THE COMING OF MISSIONARIES IN THE 19TH CENTURY

Missionary activities in the 19th century were pioneered by the protestants churches of Europe and
America. This was a period of spiritual and religious renewal in Europe and America. This new
religions consciousness demanded renewed zeal, dedication and commitment to Christianity. West
Africa became a direct target and they came for the following reasons. These reasons can be categories
into 3Gs and these are; Glory, Gold and God.
1. RELIGION:- The missionaries wanted to save the soul of Africans by converting them to
Christianity. They also hope to stop the growing influence and spread of Islam.
2. HUMANITARIAN:- Though the Atlantic slave trade had been abolished in Europe, it was still going
on in Africa. The Christian missionaries believed that by converting the Africans into Christians they
will turned against this human trade.
3. ECONOMIC:- the Christian missionaries wanted to create a peaceful condition by preaching
Christianity. This would promote legitimate trade and agricultural development.
4. POLITICAL:- The missionaries supported colonization for protection. Therefore they welcomed the
use of force to maintain order in problem areas.