The Extent of Western African Empires in the Slave Trade

West African kingdoms and empires played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade, which had profound effects on the region.

Role and Extent

West African kingdoms and empires like Dahomey, Ashanti, and Benin became deeply involved in the slave trade. These kingdoms and empires captured slaves through wars, raids, and other forms of conflict and then traded them to European merchants. The slave trade became a crucial part of their economy, with many African rulers and elites benefiting financially. The trade often centered around coastal trading posts where European ships would dock to exchange goods for human cargo (Khan Academy) (Humanities LibreTexts).

The Tranatlantic slave trade from Africa to the New World might well have been the largest maritime migration in history. The reason for this maritime movement was to obtain labor as the indigenous population of the New World had declined rapidly because of its lack of immunity against imported pathogens. In total about 12 million Africans were forcibly embarked and because of the high mortality aboard, about 10 million slaves were disembarked in: Brazil (45%), the British, French, Dutch, and Danish Caribbean (37%), Spanish America (11 %) and North America (4%). In spite of the growing volume of the trade and the increasing demand for slaves, the Atlantic slave trade was abolished during the first decades of the 19th century due to humanitarian pressures.

Some people believe that the Europeans went on raids into West African lands and brought their captures to the ports. This is not the case. The slave trade on the African coast could be conducted in three ways. When a slave ship from Europe, Brazil or North America arrived on the African coast, it could sail to one of the forts on the coast, preferably under the same flag as that of the ship. The commanders of such forts, as well as the African traders living in the vicinity, usually held a stock of slaves allowing the captain of the slave ship to arrive quickly at the number of slaves he intended to buy in total. However, this method was expensive as a substantial part of the trade goods brought from Europe had to be paid as commission to these intermediaries. Another way of buying slaves involved renting a piece of land on the shore from the local ruler on which a temporary shed would be constructed. These sheds served both as a temporary warehouse for trade goods as well as a market, where the African brokers would bring their slaves for sale. At the end of each day, the newly-bought slaves would be ferried to the ship and housed in its hold. The third and most used method for buying slaves was to sail along the coast and invite the African brokers with their slaves to come aboard. Most of the negotiations would be carried out on deck, where the broker would choose from the assortment of goods (such as guns, textiles, alcoholic beverages and household items), while the ship’s doctor would have a chance to make a superficial physical check of the slaves by looking at their teeth, skin, hair color and general condition. Usually the brokers arrived only with a few slaves at the time, so this method could increase the time spent on the African coast to well over a year before the captain had obtained a sufficient number of slaves to make the crossing worthwhile. Because the slave trade was profitable for the rulers of these West African Empires, they continued to bring slaves for the taking and profit to European ships arriving for their human cargo.

Impact on West African Societies

The involvement in the slave trade had several consequences for West African societies such as:

Economic Dependence: Many kingdoms and empires became economically dependent on the slave trade. This reliance disrupted traditional economies and created a dependency on European goods and firearms.
Political Instability: The increased demand for slaves led to more frequent and intense wars and raids, which destabilized many regions. The introduction of firearms exacerbated this violence, leading to the rise and fall of various kingdoms and empires (Oak National Academy).
Social Disruption: The trade decimated populations, particularly young men and women, which in turn affected agricultural productivity and social structures. It also led to a loss of human capital, as many skilled individuals were taken as slaves.
Cultural Changes: The constant state of warfare and raiding caused by the slave trade eroded traditional societal norms and structures. Some cultures resisted the trade, while others adapted by aligning with European powers for protection and profit (Khan Academy) (Oak National Academy).

Notable Kingdoms and Empires

Dahomey: Known for its militaristic culture, Dahomey actively participated in slave raids and became one of the most notorious slave-trading states.
Ashanti: The Ashanti Empire, through its centralized power structure and military strength, engaged heavily in the slave trade, exchanging captives for European goods.
Benin: The Kingdom of Benin initially resisted the slave trade but later engaged in it under pressure from European demand (Oak National Academy).

Conclusion

The West African kingdoms' and empires' involvement in the slave trade was extensive and had long-lasting impacts on the region's economic, political, and social landscapes. The legacy of the transatlantic slave trade continues to negatively affect West African societies today. (Encyclopedia Britannica) (Humanities LibreTexts).