Atlantic Slave Trade: Catalyst of Modernity?

1516 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The decline of the Atlantic slave trade

The Atlantic slave trade was a phenomenon which was in part responsible for innovations in a number of elements of humanity. These changes were instrumental in a number of revolutions and they also induced ground-breaking changes in the ideology of mankind. This legitimisation of slavery aiding different revolutions and changing ideas may be misconstrued as the sole catalyst of the concept of modernity. However, modernity does not run on singular trajectory so it is unlikely that one catalyst would solely enable them all. One may define modernity as ‘an intellectual tendency or social perspective characterized by departure from or repudiation of traditional ideas, doctrines, and cultural values in favour of contemporary or radical values and …show more content…

These tangents alone can develop to a state of modernity but individually they do not amount to modernity. The effects of the Atlantic slave trade were a feature of modernity although it did not affect all aspects and in some case such as technology there is an argument for regression. Ideological advances particularly in the contrasting way slaves were viewed at the start and end of the Atlantic slave trade show a definite transformation towards modernity. The view of slaves as free humans and not animals was a contemporary idea which gained popularity and brought about the end of slavery. The slave trade did contribute to economic growth but the size of this contribution is questionable. Some people such as Inikori believe that the role of the slave trade was such that the British economy may have stagnated without it (Inikori cited in Waites et al, 2011 p.66). However, despite its undoubted impact to the economy there is statistical data to suggest that exports of slave manufactured commodities were minimal and that the so call ‘industrial revolution’ would have happened either

Show More
Related

  • Summary Of Ira Berlin, Generations Of Captivity?

    1823 Words  | 4 Pages

    The formation of the Atlantic slave trade did distinguish the difference between the societies’ of slaves. Berlin quotes, “In societies with slaves, slavery was just one form of labor among many” as well as “these societies were built on labor and how one should live”. The sellers or the businessmen of the trade made slaves work harder, driving their proprietors to new, already unheard of the status of wealth and power to gain financial

    Read More

  • The Slave Trade: The Two Princes Of Calabar

    567 Words  | 2 Pages

    The transatlantic slave trade was one of the most important factors in how the world came to be the way it is today. This trade led to the economic prosperity and political development in European countries and the population decline on the African continent. It was the catalyst for the development of both rich and poor societies today. The Two Princes of Calabar is a prime example of how this trade affected the economic growth of the countries and civilizations involved.

    Read More

  • Slavery in America between 1800 and 1860

    724 Words  | 2 Pages

    Between 1800 and 1860 slavery in the American South had become a ‘peculiar institution’ during these times. Although it may have seemed that the worst was over when it came to slavery, it had just begun. The time gap within 1800 and 1860 had slavery at an all time high from what it looks like. As soon as the cotton production had become a long staple trade source it gave more reason for slavery to exist. Varieties of slavery were instituted as well, especially once international slave trading was banned in America after 1808, they had to think of a way to keep it going – which they did. Nonetheless, slavery in the American South had never declined; it may have just come to a halt for a long while, but during this time between 1800 and 1860, it shows it could have been at an all time high.

    Read More

  • Thomas Jefferson and Slavery

    991 Words  | 2 Pages

    Welling, G. M. (2005, 11 07). From Revolution to Reconstruction . Retrieved 07 07, 2010, from From Revolution to Reconstruction : http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/P/tj3/writings/slavery.htm

    Read More

  • How Did the Atlantic Slave Trade Evolve?

    633 Words  | 2 Pages

    1) Columbian Exchange- the Columbian Exchange term is, described as the massive worldwide trade of animals, plants, foods, and slaves. Christopher Columbus first voyage launched an era of extensive contact between the Old and New Worlds that resulted in the ecological revolution. The Columbian Exchange is important because, it affected every society on earth, by bringing devastating diseases that depopulated many cultures.

    Read More

  • How Slavery Affected Colonial America

    998 Words  | 2 Pages

    Slavery was a practice in many countries in the 17th and 18th centuries, but its effects in human history was unique to the United States. Many factors played a part in the existence of slavery in colonial America; the most noticeable was the effect that it had on the personal and financial growth of the people and the nation. Capitalism, individualism and racism were the utmost noticeable factors during this most controversial period in American history. Other factors, although less discussed throughout history, also contributed to the economic rise of early American economy, such as, plantationism and urbanization. Individually, these factors led to enormous economic growth for the early American colonies, but collectively, it left a social gap that we are still trying to bridge today.

    Read More

  • European Influence on Early Modern Era

    511 Words  | 2 Pages

    A Eurocentric understanding of the early modern era would the Islamic world. While, the role of the Europeans on a global scale was that the Europeans were becoming involved in world affairs. The Europeans also became involved in the oceanic journeys of European explorers and the European conquest and colonial settlement of the Americas. The Europeans also became involved in the global silver trade.

    Read More

  • Comparing the Atlantic Slave Trade with the Arab Slave Trade

    837 Words  | 2 Pages

    In contrast to the Atlantic slave trade, where the male-female ratio was 2:1, the Arab slave trade instead usually had a higher female-to-male ratio. Concubinage and reproduction served as incentives for importing female slaves, though many were also imported mainly for performing household tasks. In both continents, anything a slave owns, is automatically the master’s own too, however in Arabia, a slave may be allowed to earn money to purchase his or her freedom and similarly to pay bride wealth if he was to be married, the marriage requiring the consent of the master first. If the master was to use his slave for sexual gratification, he may not co-habit with a female slave belonging to his wife, neither can he have relations with a female slave if she is co-owned, or already married. In America, a man may have relations with a slave but it wasn’t very likely, as this was taboo and not approved of.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between North And South American Slavery

    816 Words  | 2 Pages

    African slaves were brought to the America’s by the millions in the 17th and 18th century. The Spanish and British established lucrative slave trades within Africa and populated their new territories with captured and then enslaved Africans. The British brought the slaves to their new colonies in North America to work on the large plantations and the Spanish and Portuguese brought the slaves to South America. Slavery within North and South America had many commonalities yet at the same time differences between the two institutions.

    Read More

  • Impact of Foreign Aid on African Democracy and Economy

    932 Words  | 2 Pages

    Every year, more and more money is donated to Africa to promote democracy in order to get rid of the powerful coups in many countries through out the continent. While the coups are declining and democratic governments are being established, the economic growth and development of Africa is not anywhere it should be considering the abundant natural resources and coastline that the continent possesses. Even though countries, like the United States of America, donate millions of dollars they are a large reason why Africa is underdeveloped economically. The Trans-Atlantic Slave trade is the most devastating event in the history of the world. Nearly 14,000,000 men, women, and children were displaced, sold into slavery, and killed by the trade routes.(

    Read More

  • The Slave Trade in Colonial America

    4293 Words  | 9 Pages

    The Slave Trade in Colonial America The first blacks in the American Colonies were brought in, like many lower-class whites, as indentured servants. Most indentured servants had a contract to work without wages for a master for four to seven years, after which they became free. Blacks brought in as slaves, however, had no right to eventual freedom. The first black indentured servants arrived in Jamestown in the colony of Virginia in 1619. They had been captured in Africa and were sold at auction in Jamestown.

    Read More

  • Slavery in American Society: Impact and Evolution

    1631 Words  | 4 Pages

    The controversies surrounding slavery have been established in many societies worldwide for centuries. In past generations, although slavery did exists and was tolerated, it was certainly very questionable,” ethically“. Today, the morality of such an act would not only be unimaginable, but would also be morally wrong. As things change over the course of history we seek to not only explain why things happen, but as well to understand why they do. For this reason, we will look further into how slavery has evolved throughout History in American society, as well as the impacts that it has had.

    Read More

  • Similarities and Differences in Ancient and Modern Slavery

    957 Words  | 2 Pages

    Slavery has been a main problem in the world for centuries. Slavery goes back to Babylon over 2,500 years ago and it is still a growing problem in the modern society. Slavery is not just one dimensional; it involves gender, race and physical appearance of a slave. In this paper, I am going to compare and contrast David Brion Davis’ view of ancient slavery along with modern day slavery by Ryan J. Dalton, and discuss why they are not similar with each other. In Modern Day Slavery by Ryan J. Dalton, discuss the problem of human trafficking in Tennessee. Dalton mention that women and children were forced into prostitution by gangs and other organized crime groups to earn money. This is different from ancient slavery discussed by David Brion Davis in Inhuman Bondage, slaves were captured and they could be raped and quickly sold. The difference between modern and ancient slavery in sex are modern slave trafficking’s main goal is to earn profit by the owner while ancient slave owner rape their slave without profit.

    Read More

  • Slavery and the Anti-slavery Movement

    1030 Words  | 3 Pages

    Foner, Eric. "Slavery In The Modern World." Nation 298.7 (2014): 27-30. Academic Search Premier. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.

    Read More

  • Modern Day Slavery Essay

    1371 Words  | 3 Pages

    The word “slavery” brings back horrific memories of human beings. Bought and sold as property, and dehumanized with the risk and implementation of violence, at times nearly inhumane. The majority of people in the United States assumes and assures that slavery was eliminated during the nineteenth century with the Emancipation Proclamation. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth; rather, slavery and the global slave trade continue to thrive till this day. In fact, it is likely that more individuals are becoming victims of human trafficking across borders against their will compared to the vast number of slaves that we know in earlier times. Slavery is no longer about legal ownership asserted, but instead legal ownership avoided, the thought provoking idea that with old slavery, slaves were maintained, compared to modern day slavery in which slaves are nearly disposable, under the same institutionalized systems in which violence and economic control over the disadvantaged is the common way of life. Modern day slavery is insidious to the public but still detrimental if not more than old American slavery.

    Read More

More about Atlantic Slave Trade: Catalyst of Modernity?

Open Document