History The Atlantic Slave Trade Questions Medium
During the Atlantic Slave Trade, slaves were captured through various methods and transported under brutal conditions. The process of capturing slaves involved raids, warfare, and kidnapping in Africa. European slave traders would often form alliances with local African leaders or tribes, who would capture individuals from rival tribes or neighboring regions. Some slaves were also captured during intertribal conflicts or through kidnapping.
Once captured, slaves were forced to endure the Middle Passage, which was the journey across the Atlantic Ocean from Africa to the Americas. The conditions on slave ships were extremely harsh and inhumane. Slaves were packed tightly into the ship's cargo holds, with little to no space to move or even stand. They were shackled and chained together, often lying in their own waste and subjected to disease, malnutrition, and physical abuse.
The journey across the Atlantic could last for several weeks or even months, depending on the specific route and conditions. Many slaves did not survive the Middle Passage, as they succumbed to diseases, starvation, or the brutal treatment inflicted upon them. It is estimated that millions of Africans died during this horrific journey.
Upon arrival in the Americas, slaves were sold at auctions to plantation owners and other buyers. They were then subjected to a life of forced labor, enduring further physical and psychological abuse. The Atlantic Slave Trade played a significant role in shaping the economies and societies of the Americas, while inflicting immeasurable suffering on millions of African individuals and communities.