Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

Slavery is as old as mankind. There was never a time recorded when the institution of slavery did not exist (The Journal 3). The securing of slaves by force, whether in war or peace, was a common practice in past eras. Even the tribal warfare, where captives, if not killed, were kept for servitude, is not unknown. Slavery in Africa did not begin with the Europeans. While Europeans favored execution for criminals, Africans favored slavery (Webster 68). Africans enslaved other Africans by buying orphans who would otherwise have died. These orphans were then brought up by their rescuers to render them lifelong service. Similarly, children and even sometimes adults were bartered for grain in times of famine to save the rest of the group--a common practice among the Margi, Sena, and Kerebe tribes (Miers 12). Strangers also would voluntarily place themselves in position

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antithesis of slavery and having autonomy and a lack of social bonds. However, unless a society has developed laws that protect personal autonomy, freedom will depend more on having the power to protect oneself than on actual autonomy; without such laws, autonomy is not valued. In most African societies, freedom was demonstrated by attachment to a kin group, a patron, or a power, rather than to being autonomous. While a change in the legal position of slaves in Africa was rare in the first generation, their worldly success mobility was sometimes impressive. The one advantage they had was a lack of ties to their kin. With no competing loyalties or obligations, slaves could be used for trusted positions. They often served as ministers of state, soldiers, governors of provinces, as trading agents, or if women, favored wives (Miers 22). The male slave, in more complex societies, was given positions of authority over nonslaves. For example, Aboh canoemen could trade their way to wealth and own their own slaves; Tuareg captives could become successful merchants (Miers 28). This was not always the case, however. In some societies, such as the Borgou Fulani, the Vai, Mende, and the Tawana, worldly success was denied to the acqu
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Batawana Miers, West Africa, Mauritania Senegal, Sena Kerebe, Africans Europeans, West Coast, Central America, Mende Tawana, Americas Recognizing, Europeans Europeans, slave trade, west africa, demand labor, slavery africa, african societies, african slave, history west africa, davidson 45, university press, growth slave, common practice, atlantic slave trade,
Approximate Word count = 2046
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)

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