The consequences of the Atlantic Slave trade
The consequences of the Atlantic Slave trade included economic, social, and political impacts. Nonetheless, the most significant effect of the slave trade on Africa was that of economic stagnation. It affected Africa’s potential for economic development. When the Europeans arrived on the coast of West Africa and established ports for slavery, through the commodification of slaves, they exploited the human resources of Africa and its labor. More than 12 million Africans were slaves in the West, and an unquantified number died in the process.
This exploitation is highlighted by the state of development in different countries across the world. As a result, the most impoverished regions and countries in Africa are those who had the most significant number of slaves. Africa, before the trade, had a vibrant economy engaging in different forms of commerce. The taking away of millions of able-bodied men disrupted the economic growth of Africa. Africa, therefore, lost people endowed with skills and its production force. Wars and slave raids further led to more economic destruction. Due to the insecurity that arose during this era, trade amongst Africans significantly reduced as a result of fear. A peaceful environment is a recipe for continued economic development.
Besides, the Atlantic trade did not offer much in return for Africa’s economic development. There were no significant structural improvements, such as industrial growth. It also destroyed other trades that were ongoing in Africa, such as the gold trade in the Gold coast economy of West Africa. Besides, it neither provided an environment for sustainability in development. Persons engaging in different economic activities were uprooted from their activities, becoming slaves in a foreign land. Thus, it is the West that exploited the skills of Africans, such as agricultural knowhow to develop itself.
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Slave trade had negative impacts on the African continent leading to the general underdevelopment of Africa. Before the coming of the European powers to colonize Africa, African communities were mostly under chiefdoms and kingdoms. However, with the inception of the slave trade, division between such empires widened. Some rulers traded slaves for guns to raid neighboring communities or empires, leading to divisions in Africa. These divisions made Africa more vulnerable to external conquest. It also means they were more susceptible to European colonization.
Colonizing the continent arose from the stagnation that Africa witnessed during the era of the slave trade in different sectors. First, economic stagnation ensured Africans did not have the clout to resist colonization successfully. For the society to show signs of strength and protect itself against weaknesses, it must first show signs of productiveness in all aspects, including the economic angle. The Atlantic slave trade created an economic gap among Africans, which contributed to its general weakness. Secondly, slavery also led to the development of a society that suffers from disorganization. Since the demand for slaves made it a lucrative venture, it led to the suspension of peace among communities.
Communities no longer saw peace as vital to their continued development and existence but depended on war and raids. Consequently, these raids and war led to the weakening of the glue that held African societies together. It resulted in the eradication of traditional African conceptions of societal development through various economic activities and relations among different communities. As a result, demographic changes occurred during the slavery era leading to substantial social problems evident up to date. Some Africans began trading with the West, thereby changing the African contemporary societal means of production. The society was in the process of losing itself, making it easier for the colonizers.