Africa's role in transatlantic slavery.

Slavery is a heinous practice that goes back to ancient times and crosses different societies. One might think that it is something of the past, but unfortunately, it still exists today, just being more camouflaged and gaining other names.

When discussing racism and black resistance today, it is important to recognize the specificities of slavery. In reality, slavery was already deeply rooted in Africa before the transatlantic trade from the XNUMXth to the XNUMXth centuries, but this should not serve to minimize the impact of that trade on modern life.

The transatlantic slave trade was a global activity, in which several nations, including foreign powers such as England, played a significant role, however, these powers camouflaged their actions using intermediaries, ending up holding Portugal responsible for the transatlantic slave trade.

In reality, many of the slave ships used in the trade were rented to Portuguese shipowners by these foreign powers, which led to the wrong perception that Portugal would have been the main power involved in the transatlantic slave trade, since the ships sailed with Portuguese flag.

Another much “promoted” fallacy is that of attributing exclusively to the Portuguese the responsibility for transatlantic slavery. However, it is crucial to recognize that the Mali Empire played an important role in the development of this practice and they were, in fact, the first to promote and develop transatlantic slavery.

The perspective of the Malian Empire's involvement in promoting transatlantic slavery is often overlooked and deserves greater attention to obtain a more comprehensive and fair understanding of this dark period in human history.

transatlantic slavery

During the height of the transatlantic slave trade, several foreign powers, such as England, played a significant role in this activity.

A common practice was to lease slave ships to Portuguese shipowners, which meant that this ship sailed under the Portuguese flag. This fact, among others, led to the erroneous perception that Portugal would have been the main power involved in the transatlantic slave trade.

Interestingly, the first transport of slaves directly from Africa to the Americas was approved on August 18, 1518, by King Carlos I of Spain. The first slaves to take this route were obtained through one of the warehouses that the Portuguese already had on the African coast at the time.

The various European powers involved in the transatlantic slave trade, such as Spain, France and England, as well as Portugal, profited from slave labor in their American and Caribbean colonies.

Slaves were mainly used on sugar, cotton and tobacco plantations, where they were subjected to inhuman conditions of forced labor. In addition, profits generated from the slave trade and plantations were reinvested in Europe, contributing to the economic development of these powers.

These powers also established commercial and diplomatic agreements with local African leaders, ensuring a continuous supply of slaves for the transatlantic trade. These agreements often involved the exchange of arms and other European goods for slaves, which allowed the expansion of European empires, increasing their military and economic power.

Mali's responsibility

The Mali Empire, which spanned between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, was one of the most notable and influential civilizations in West Africa. Its prosperity and stability were based on the trans-Saharan trade in gold and salt and on the practice of slavery, which was already established and rooted in the region long before the arrival of Europeans.

This empire played a significant role in the development of transatlantic slavery. Mali's leaders established trade relations with the Europeans, providing slaves in exchange for weapons and other valuable goods. These commercial partnerships facilitated the expansion of the transatlantic slave trade and strengthened the power of local African rulers.

Additionally, the Mali Empire also participated in the capture and enslavement of individuals belonging to other African ethnicities and regions, contributing to the rise of the transatlantic slave trade.

The active participation of Mali and other African states in transatlantic slavery represents an important historical fact that many try to hide but that cannot be neglected, as it helps to create a more comprehensive and balanced image of this period of time.

It is essential to recognize the complexity of the dynamics involved in transatlantic slavery and the role played by different actors, including Africans themselves, in order to obtain a fairer and more complete understanding of this tragic chapter of history.

From traditional slavery to the transatlantic trade

It is essential to distinguish the fundamental differences between the transatlantic slave trade and other forms of slavery that existed in Africa before the arrival of Europeans.

Slavery on the African continent generally resulted from conflicts between rival groups, territorial conquests and religious and ethnic differences. In these contexts, slavery operated differently from transatlantic trafficking, being more linked to local political and social factors than to a globalized economic logic.

It is important to highlight that slavery already existed in Africa before the arrival of Europeans. However, its nature and size were significantly changed with the involvement of Europeans in the slave trade.

Europeans “refined” slavery in Africa, transforming it into a more systematic practice driven by the global demand for labor, with the aim of meeting the economic needs of colonial powers in America and Europe.

The transatlantic slave trade introduced the idea that being black was synonymous with being a slave and vice versa, on a global scale. This form of slavery was legitimized based on the institutionalization that enslaved people, in this case black people, were not fully human, either from a cultural or biological point of view.

Unlike the forms of slavery that existed in Africa before the arrival of the Europeans, the transatlantic slave trade was based on the notion of race and the exploitation of labor for the purposes of “proto-industrialization” which later contributed to the emergence of capitalism.

The scale and dehumanizing nature of the transatlantic slave trade resulted in a lasting legacy of racism and racial discrimination that persists to this day in many societies.

In this way, it is crucial to analyze the transatlantic slave trade as a practice distinct from the forms of slavery that existed in Africa before the involvement of Europeans. It is important to understand these differences, as this is the only way to obtain a more comprehensive and contextualized understanding of the legacy of slavery and its consequences.

The involvement of African kingdoms

While the transatlantic slave trade was largely driven by Europeans, it is important to note that large African nations such as the Mali Empire also played a significant role in the development of this practice.

The capture and sale of slaves was not new in Africa, but its scale and purpose changed with the arrival of Europeans and the growing demand for labor in the American colonies.

O Mali Empire, was one of the largest and most powerful civilizations in West Africa and already practiced slavery internally before European involvement in the slave trade.

However, with the arrival of Europeans, Malian leaders adapted to this new economic reality and began capturing slaves specifically to feed the growing international market, thereby promoting the creation and expansion of the transatlantic trade,

Historical records show that Mali and other African nations, such as the Kingdom of Kongo and the Kingdom of Oyo, established commercial relations with Europeans, exchanging slaves for goods such as weapons, fabrics and luxury objects. These commercial exchanges allowed the growth of the transatlantic slave trade and helped consolidate the power of local African leaders.

This active participation of Mali and other African states in transatlantic slavery is a historical fact that should not be ignored, as it provides a more complete and balanced view of the period in question.

By recognizing the role played by African nations such as the Mali Empire, we can better understand the complexity of the transatlantic slave trade and its lasting consequences on contemporary society.

The involvement of Portugal and the creation of the myth

Portugal played a significant role in the Atlantic slave trade, being responsible for approximately a third to half of the 12 million inhabitants removed from Africa and enslaved in the Americas between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. However, it is essential to analyze the nuances and historical contexts that influenced these numbers.

In fact, foreign powers, such as England, rented slave ships to Portuguese shipowners, contributing to an inaccurate perception that Portugal was the power that most practiced the trade.

These countries played a crucial role in promoting and expanding the slave trade. However, since the ships sailed under the Portuguese flag, the trade ended up being erroneously attributed to Portugal, generating a myth that lasts until today,

In addition, accounting for the slave trade carried out after Brazil's independence in 1822 also influences estimates and interpretations regarding the Portuguese participation in the transatlantic slave trade.

The economic dimension and the power relations between the Portuguese and Brazilian elites are relevant aspects to consider, since the former Portuguese slave families in Brazil, the circuits of circulation and accumulation of wealth and their networks of influence continued to indirectly benefit Portugal, even after the independence of the South American country.

In short, it is crucial to take into account the diverse historical, political and economic factors that shaped Portugal's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade in order to obtain a more accurate and balanced understanding of the country's role in this sad chapter of world history.

the african myths

Another myth that persists to this day is that of the involvement of black historical figures who supposedly played a crucial role in resisting slavery and racism, fighting bravely against the enslavement of their people by Europeans.

Among them, stands out Nzinga Mbandi, Queen of the Kingdom of Ndongo (Angola) and founder of the Kingdom of Matamba, who was strongly opposed to Portuguese rule and, supposedly, to the enslavement of her people, but in reality, maintained the slave trade for the benefit of his kingdom, only preventing the Portuguese from gaining access to it to prevent them from gaining too much power.

In addition to her, other women, such as Dandara dos Palmares, described as a hero who fought alongside men against slavery, but ended up being the main person responsible for signing a peace agreement between the government of Pernambuco and Quilombo de Palmares, where he was not opposed to slavery and, worse than that, he was committed to delivering fugitive slaves who sought shelter there.

While not all of these historical figures broke completely with slavery and the social stratifications it was based on, their struggle has had a significant impact on history. By recognizing and appreciating the contribution of these courageous women, we can develop a more inclusive and complete understanding of the history of black resistance to slavery and racism.

It is also important to mention that these leaders faced dilemmas and contradictions in their struggles, as they often had to deal with the complex power systems and social dynamics of their respective times. However, his legacy and his role in resisting slavery are unquestionable and deserve to be remembered and celebrated.

By analyzing the lives and achievements of these women, we can gain a more comprehensive view of the historical dynamics and power relations that shaped the struggle against slavery and racism. This analysis contributes to a fairer and more inclusive historiography that recognizes the importance of black women in building a more liberal society free from oppression.

resistance to slavery

Resistance to slavery and racism must also be addressed in the broader historical context, including abolitionist struggles and movements, both in Europe and the Americas.

The abolition of slavery in Brazil, for example, was the result of a long process of struggles and resistance, including the pressure exerted by abolitionists, such as Luís Gama and Joaquim Nabuco, and the efforts of the enslaved communities themselves.

Furthermore, it is important to consider the impact of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade on the formation of the cultural and national identities of the countries involved. Afro-Brazilian culture, for example, was profoundly influenced by African heritage and the experience of slavery.

Afro-Brazilian music, dance, cuisine and religious traditions are a reflection of the rich cultural tapestry created by the mix of African, indigenous and European elements. By appreciating and valuing this cultural diversity, we can build a more tolerant and inclusive society.

The abolition of slavery in the XNUMXth century did not mark the end of racial inequalities and racism in societies involved in the transatlantic slave trade. In many cases, racial hierarchies and forms of discrimination and violence were perpetuated in different contexts, such as apartheid in South Africa and racial segregation in the United States.

To address these issues, it is critical to invest in education and awareness about the history of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, as well as to promote policies and initiatives aimed at combating racism and racial inequality.

Ultimately, the story of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade is a story of pain, suffering and injustice, but also of resistance and hope. By confronting the legacy of this history and working to build a more just and liberal society, we can honor the memory of those who fought and suffered, and ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain.

Conclusion

The transatlantic slave trade was a complex phenomenon, in which several foreign powers, such as England, and African empires, such as the Mali Empire, played significant roles. The exclusive attribution of the transatlantic slave trade to Portugal is incorrect and simplistic, as it ignores the participation of other actors and the power dynamics involved.

Recognizing the role of foreign powers and the Malian Empire in promoting transatlantic slavery is crucial to a fairer and more complete understanding of history and to inform current debates about racism and black resistance.

Furthermore, identifying the fundamental differences between the transatlantic slave trade and other forms of slavery in Africa allows for a more nuanced analysis of the historical roots of racism and racial discrimination in contemporary society.

By examining the specificities of each context and the actors involved in the fight against racism and the promotion of equality, we can work to create a more just and inclusive world, in which history is recognized and addressed in a comprehensive and equitable way.

What do you think of this? Did you know that Europeans were not responsible for slavery as it was already institutionalized in Africa before their arrival? We want to know your opinion, do not hesitate to comment and if you liked the article, share and give a “like/like”.

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Picture: © DR