1. Demand for Labor:
- European countries, particularly those with colonies in the Americas, had a high demand for cheap labor to work on plantations, mines, and other industries.
2. Slave Raids:
- African individuals were captured from their homelands through violent raids conducted by European slave traders or African chiefs who acted as intermediaries.
3. Slave Forts:
- Captured Africans were transported to coastal forts or holding facilities, where they were held temporarily until they could be shipped across the Atlantic.
4. Middle Passage:
- The Middle Passage refers to the horrific journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Africans were packed like cargo into overcrowded and unsanitary ships, subjected to harsh conditions, malnutrition, and diseases. Many died during this phase of the trade.
5. Slave Markets and Auctions:
- Once the ships arrived in the Americas, slaves were sold at public auctions or markets. Buyers, including plantation owners and merchants, inspected and purchased individuals based on their physical strength and perceived skills.
6. Branding and Enslavement:
- After the auctions, enslaved individuals were often branded or marked to indicate their status as property. They were then assigned to various labor tasks, such as agriculture, mining, construction, or domestic work.
7. Breeding and Commodification:
- Some enslaved women were forced into sexual exploitation and used for breeding purposes to produce more slaves. Children born into slavery were automatically considered the property of their enslavers.
8. Resistance and Revolts:
- Despite the brutal oppression, enslaved Africans consistently resisted their enslavement. Revolts, acts of sabotage, and attempts to escape were common, but they were often met with severe punishment or death.
9. Abolition Movements:
- Gradually, abolitionist movements emerged in Europe and the Americas, calling for an end to the slave trade and slavery. These movements gained momentum and eventually led to the abolition of the Transatlantic slave trade and, later, the abolition of slavery itself.
The Transatlantic slave trade thrived on violence, exploitation, and racism, leaving a legacy of trauma, discrimination, and systemic inequality that continues to shape societies around the world.