The Atlantic Slave Trade

Between the years of 1450-1750, the Europeans had used the people of Africa as slaves. They would kidnap them from their homes and then board them onto a ship to be sent to America to labor in their vast farmlands. Because of this, their race has been treated in the most unfair manor throughout history. During the 1400’s throughout the 1700’s, there was a growing demand for slaves in America. The Europeans weren’t allowed to sell the Native Americans as slaves because they were freed by the king, so they instead decided to sell the Africans in what was known as the “Atlantic Slave Trade.” This trading process would take people from Africa to Europe and then transport them by ship to America to be sold and used as slaves. This was a very long and uncomfortable voyage that killed many before they even reached the shores of America. (Documents 1 & 5) The life on the ship was horrible for all who were aboard it. There was not much room on this vessel to put the slaves, so they were all packed inside of a very small room. It got so tightly packed, that many almost suffocated because of the lack of oxygen in the room. When they did get air, it was very putrid and carried a disease that killed many before they arrived. The slaves were often beaten several times a day for irrelevant things, such as, not finishing …show more content…
The slave was then forced to do housework, or work out in one of the fields that their master owned. Once they were made a slave, they weren’t allowed any freedoms such as, choosing their sexuality or having children without their master’s consent. For if they did any of this, their punishment would be fatal or its results would scar them for life. Although many of them wished to die because of the cruel ways that they were treated and ridiculed throughout their life. (Documents 4, 6, &