History The Atlantic Slave Trade Questions Medium
The legal and political justifications for the Atlantic Slave Trade were primarily based on economic interests, racial ideologies, and legal frameworks that were established during the time period.
One of the main legal justifications was the concept of "property rights." Slavery was seen as a legal institution, and slaves were considered as property that could be bought, sold, and owned. This perspective allowed slave traders and owners to argue that they had the legal right to engage in the slave trade and own slaves as a form of property.
Another legal justification was the notion of "international law" and the idea that the slave trade was a legitimate form of commerce between nations. European powers, such as Britain, France, and Portugal, established legal frameworks and treaties that regulated the slave trade, such as the Treaty of Tordesillas and the Treaty of Utrecht. These agreements provided legal cover for the slave trade and allowed European nations to engage in it without facing significant international opposition.
Politically, the Atlantic Slave Trade was justified through the ideology of racial superiority and the belief in the inherent inferiority of Africans. This ideology, known as racism, was prevalent during the time and provided a justification for the enslavement and exploitation of Africans. Europeans believed that Africans were racially inferior and therefore destined to be enslaved and controlled by more "advanced" civilizations.
Additionally, the economic justifications for the Atlantic Slave Trade were significant. The demand for labor in the New World colonies, particularly in the production of cash crops such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton, was insatiable. The slave trade provided a cheap and abundant labor force that was essential for the profitability of these industries. European powers justified the slave trade as necessary for the economic development and prosperity of their colonies.
In summary, the legal and political justifications for the Atlantic Slave Trade were rooted in the concept of property rights, international law, racial ideologies, and economic interests. These justifications allowed European powers to engage in the slave trade and perpetuate the system of slavery for several centuries.