International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue IV, April 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186

Who is to be blamed for The Transatlantic Slave Trade in Africa? A Focus on the Role Played by Africa in the Trade

Mathew Awine Ayamdoo
Accra College of Education

Abstract: This paper examines the Trans-Atlantic slave trade with a special focus on the role that Africans played in the trade to determine the extent to which a party in the trade can be blamed for the trade that has now been seen as a forgotten crime against humanity. The paper employs the qualitative research methodology, using the desktop review approach, to peruse and analyze secondary materials on the topic under study. The paper establishes the distinct nature of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade that distinguished it from the Trans-Saharan slave trade and other forms of slavery experiences in Africa and elsewhere. The paper also establishes that, Africans played a very significant role in the transatlantic slave trade, as they voluntarily played the role of suppliers of slaves to European slave buyers. The paper also acknowledges the instances where Africans were coerced by their European trading partners into slavery or slave trade, but establishes that Africans traded in equal terms with the Europeans and sometimes dictated the terms of trade, as they aimed at benefiting from the lucrative trade. The paper also indicates how Africans exchanged slaves for fire arms which they needed badly to protect themselves from invasion by neighbours. The paper argues that the slave trade was a trade between two parties – Africans and foreigners and both parties benefited from the spoils of the trade and cannot be exonerated from any blame that may arise from the consequences of the trade.

Key Words: Slavery, Slave Trade, Transatlantic Salve Trade, Profit, Role, Blame, Africa

I. INTRODUCTION

Arguably, slavery is said to be as ancient as the first large civilizations and has been in existence in almost all human societies. It is public knowledge that, the institution of slavery existed in Africa just like in other areas, from time immemorial. It is also historically known that slave trade was very prevalent in Africa, especially in the Trans-Saharan trade era, where captives of wars and other forms of slaves were sold to North African and Arab merchants. Despite the historicity of slavery and the enormity of slave trade in Africa prior to the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, there is no gainsaying that the Trans-Atlantic slave trade was distinct due to its uniqueness and peculiarities which have attracted significant public attention.