Economic Considerations:
* Purchasing slaves from existing traders was often perceived as a more reliable and efficient method. Slave traders had established networks and infrastructure in place for capturing and supplying slaves. Buyers could rely on them to provide a steady flow of enslaved people, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming expeditions.
* Slave traders often offered economies of scale. They could provide large numbers of slaves at once, making the purchase more efficient for plantation owners or other buyers who needed a significant workforce.
Geographic and Logistical Challenges:
* Capturing slaves directly involved expeditions into potentially hostile territories, which could be dangerous and unpredictable. Slave traders already had established relationships and knowledge of these areas, reducing the risks involved.
*Buyers didn't have to deal with the challenges of logistics and transportation. Slave traders handled the task of capturing and transporting enslaved people to markets where buyers could easily access them.
Legal Considerations:
* Purchasing slaves from traders was often viewed as a legal and legitimate transaction, whereas capturing slaves could be considered an act of kidnapping or piracy. Slave traders provided legal documentation, such as bills of sale, that established the legitimacy of the purchase.
* Slave owners could avoid legal repercussions and risks associated with capturing slaves themselves by relying on established trade structures.
Influence of the Atlantic Slave Trade:
* The transatlantic slave trade, driven by European demand for enslaved labor, created an entire system built around the buying and selling of slaves. Slave traders served as intermediaries between African sources and European buyers, making it easier for slave owners to participate in the trade.
* The prevalence and normalization of the slave trade further reinforced the preference for purchasing slaves from traders rather than engaging in direct capture.