The Social Effects of the Transatlantic

Trade in the 16th century

The social effects of the transatlantic Trade on West Africa in the 16th century were as followed.
Millions of strong and youthful men and women were forcibly removed from Africa, decreasing
the population of Africa significantly and causing a disruption within families causing there to be
orphans and families with single parents, without there being an accustomed support system.

The ruling classes of Africa such as kings, chiefs and merchants who became slave dealers
exploited the common people of Africa. The threat of slave raids led to feelings of insecurity
within African societies which caused people to relocate and abandon their previous homes.
African values such as brotherhood and community spirit were abandoned as well. John Barbot,
an agent for the French Royal African company gave a first-hand account of the Transatlantic
trade in the Africans, according to Caribbean History Themes Volume One, “Those sold by the
Blacks are for the most part prisoners of war taken either in fight, or pursuit, or in the incursions
they make to their enemies territories; others stolen away by their own countrymen; and some
there are, who will sell their own children, kindred or neighbours.”

. Religious institutions were changed to complement the needs of the trade, distorting the use
of oracles and growing the incidence of human sacrifice as unsold or undesirable captives were
often sacrificed.