History The Atlantic Slave Trade Questions Medium
In the Atlantic Slave Trade, children played various roles depending on their age and physical abilities. They were often captured or born into slavery and were considered valuable commodities for slave traders and plantation owners.
One of the primary roles of children in the Atlantic Slave Trade was to serve as a source of labor. They were put to work on plantations, in households, or in industries such as mining and agriculture. Their tasks included tending to crops, caring for livestock, household chores, and other physically demanding tasks. Children were often subjected to harsh working conditions and long hours of labor.
Additionally, children were also used as domestic servants, particularly in the households of wealthy slave owners. They were responsible for tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and taking care of the slave owner's children. Some children were even trained as skilled artisans or craftsmen, depending on their talents and abilities.
Children were also used as a means to increase the slave population. Slave owners encouraged enslaved women to have children, as it meant a larger workforce for them in the future. Children born into slavery were considered the property of their owners and were subjected to a lifetime of servitude.
Furthermore, children were often separated from their families during the slave trade. They were frequently sold or traded separately from their parents, siblings, or other relatives. This separation caused immense emotional trauma and disrupted family structures within enslaved communities.
Overall, the roles of children in the Atlantic Slave Trade were primarily centered around labor, domestic service, and increasing the slave population. Their experiences were marked by exploitation, separation from their families, and the denial of basic human rights.