The transatlantic slave trade was a major forced migration of people of African descent from Europe to the Americas that occurred between the 16th and 19th centuries. Millions of Africans were captured and sold into slavery, and transported across the Atlantic Ocean to work on plantations, mines, and other businesses in the Americas.
Why were Africans enslaved?
There were a number of reasons why Africans were enslaved. One reason was the rise of the sugar industry in the Americas. Sugar plantations required a large labor force, and African slaves were seen as a cheap and abundant source of labor. Another reason for African slavery was the growth of the cotton industry in the United States. Cotton plantations also required a large labor force, and African slaves were seen as a more reliable source of labor than white indentured servants.
How were Africans captured and sold into slavery?
Africans were captured by a variety of means, including warfare, kidnapping, and raids. Once captured, they were sold to European slave traders and transported across the Atlantic Ocean in crowded and unsanitary conditions. Many Africans died during the Middle Passage, the journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
The legacy of slavery
The transatlantic slave trade had a devastating impact on Africa and the Americas. It resulted in the death of millions of Africans, and it has left a lasting legacy of racism and discrimination in the Americas.