CARIBBEAN HISTORY

SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT

Candidate name: Jahzeev Kavin Suer

Center number:

Candidate number:

Name of teacher: Mrs. Morgan Campbell

Territory: Jamaica

Year of examination: 2023

S.B.A question: What evidence is there to imply that the trans-Atlantic slave trade
in Africa during the eighteenth century impacted negatively on the people of
Africa as well as West African societies?
 Table of contents

Acknowledgments…………………………………………… Page 3

Introduction……………………………………………………Page 4

Rational………………………………………………………..Page 5

Conclusion…………………………………………………….Page 10

References…………………………………………………….Page 11

Appendix………………………………………………………Page 12
 Acknowledgments

I’d like to thank my parents for assisting me in the completion of this assessment
and for supporting me so it could be done to the best of my ability. And to my
friends for the additional support and encouragement.
 Introduction

In this study, the transatlantic slave trade of the eighteenth century will be

examined, along with the effects it had both during and after it was established.

One could argue that the slave trade was one of the most significant commercial

endeavors and that its establishment brought both advantages and losses. The

introduction of the slave trade (how it occurred and why) and the preparations

made to slaves during its establishment will be highlighted in the first section of

this S.B.A. The researcher will then discuss the West African societies themselves,

including their way of life, before concentrating on the repercussions of the slave

trade (social, economic, and political).

 Rational

The slave trade, which began in the 18th century, is a well-known historical

incident. This trade was mostly disregarded by the British, and it would also be

among the most terrible things to ever take place. This trade as said became one of

the most important business enterprises as several free traders became interested in

the act. These slaves were purchased and brought from Africa to perform several

tasks which would eventually have negative effects on the African society.

Over time, the African people's way of life has changed as a result of the

consequences of commerce. This topic was selected to illustrate the difficulties that

could or are being encountered as a result of the changes, as many people are not

completely aware of them, in addition to offering knowledge regarding the origins

of the slave trade.

Slave trade is defined as the capture, purchase, sale, and transportation of people

as goods to the Americas through the triangular trade. It is stated that the Spaniards

were the first Europeans to bring in slaves from Africa because they refused to

work in the fields or mines, and it was noticed that sending their own people to the

new globe served no purpose because the labor force that was required still wasn't

being met.

The following are some of the factors that led to the importation of Africans.

The English figured it might be profitable to grow sugar cane on vast plantations

with a lot of workers. Plantation owners believed that imported labor would be

simpler to subjugate and manage than native people (Hamilton-willie. Dorris, lest

you forget Caribbean economy and slavery, Jamaica publishing house,2001)

.They also felt that, despite the high cost of buying slaves, a sizable profit would be

generated from the items the slaves produced.

A number of preparations were made for the slaves before and after they were

purchased by the Europeans as a result of the organization of the slave trade.

Slaves were originally marched to slave coasts when Europeans first arrived to

gather them. After shaving their heads (to avoid lice), the slaves were branded in

accordance with industry standards. When slaves were carried onto ships, they

were closely packed below the deck, which frequently resulted in the spread of

diseases. While some of these slaves frequently committed suicide in the hope that
their souls would return to their owners, others were treated like objects and forced

to engage in physical labor such as dancing.

The Africans had to adapt their way of life to fit that of the Europeans

because, as was previously mentioned, they were abducted as slaves. Africans

themselves had/have a variety of civilizations that have merged over time to form a

diversified and regional subculture with rich traditions and rituals.

Dance, music, and even painting are a few of these traditions.

An essential component of African culture is dance, which uses symbolic gestures,

masks, costumes, body painting, and props to convey. Similar to dancing, music is

utilized as a means of communication. Songs are played during weddings, births,

rites of passage, hunting, and even political events. Different African civilizations

frequently employ music to ward off evil spirits and give tribute to benevolent

spirits, the dead, and ancestors

The forms of clothing worn differ across countries in Africa, based on gender

and religion. Usually, each item of clothing has a special significance. For

instance, hunters wear mud cloths for both protection and identification. Each color

used in clothes sometimes has a particular connotation, such as white representing

spiritual purity and green representing abundance and life.

 Even though these slaves were brought in for labor, the slave trade had a

variety of effects on African society, most of which were unfavorable. These

consequences can be classified as social, economic, and political effects.

Social effects can be classified as the effect on people and communities as a

result of an action. Following are a few social repercussions on African society:

Different ruling classes, including monarchs and chiefs, turned into slave traders

and started taking advantage of the common people. Many Africans started to feel

insecure in their villages, which caused them to relocate. As young people were

being forcibly evacuated from Africa, there was also a brain drain among the

socioeconomic strata.

As human labor was the fundamental goal of the slave trade, the majority of

the economic effects were related to it. In Africa, the loss of skilled artisans and

agriculturalists caused a fall in human labor, which in turn caused a decline in

agriculture. Insecurity brought on by commerce also hampered economic

expansion.

Finally, there are political factors. Political factors are the last to consider.

Conflict and war among Africans increased as a result of the trade. In addition to

the fact that most monarchs and officials developed a desire for the wealth and

power that came with the slave trade, the slave trade gave chiefs power that they
had never had before. (Hamilton-Willie. Dorris, lest you forget Caribbean

economy and slavery, Jamaica publishing house,2001)

 Conclusion

It may be said that the transatlantic slave trade had a number of repercussions on

West African communities, most of which were detrimental. The obvious changes

in the political, economic, and social systems of African societies provide evidence

for this.

Because most established systems were altered, including the loss of human labor

and the rise in monarchical strife, these changes had an effect on people not just in

the eighteenth century but later in the 20th.

 References

 https://www.britannica.com/topic/transatlantic-slave-trade

 https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/african-traditions.html

 Hamilton-willie.dorris, Caribbean economy and slavery

 https://discoveringvictoriafalls.com/blog/african-culture/.

 https://www.contemporary-african-art.com/african-culture.html
 Apendix

Sections of slave ship Slaves being auctioned

African culture