Emmanuel De La Torre

January 14th 2018

Question 1

Religion played a vital role in the African Slave Trade. Owners of plantations or people who
were involved directly in the trading process justified slavery with the use of Old Testament
passages. The Catholic Church in specific justified their behavior strictly promoting that as long
as there was no abuse that “these people” were in better hands. On the other hand you had a
complete different argument from a different Christianity perspective. Many white abolitionist
argued that the behavior was ungodly and unsanctioned. They argued about freedom and God
given rights to every individual. Religion played a vital role in the daily life of Africans. Slaves
could turn to God to free them from their daily problems and oppressions. They sung songs as
they worked in hope that God would liberate them of evil. Even while on the Underground
Railroad Harriet Tubman would sing songs, hymns or slave spirituals as code to signal directions
and freedom. There dedication to their religion enabled them to consider her as “Moises.”
Africans also brought their own religious systems many of them which incorporated with
Christianity. I believe religion was a huge foundation for the abolitionist movement. Abolitionist
agreed that slavery was immoral not only to the extent of political discrepancies ie the
Constitution and Declaration of Independence but according to God’s word. I don’t think that I
was a driving force or justification for the growth of slavery. I think selfish gain, egotism and
pride were the leading factors for the unjust treatment of African.

Question 2.

The slave trade was unfortunately a huge support to the economies of the western world. Support
from slaves permitted Americans to exploit the land for the development of industries such as
railroads, buildings and canals as well as further expansion towards the west. Slavery was cheap
labor, in which land owners did not need to pay for them to work. Sugar plantations were a huge
commodity for the world permitting money to spread from the Americas to Europe. The cotton
jin was a huge help into the economy and with the combination of slavery led the United States
to financial stability. Cotton was gold in the U.S but it also helped further the British textile
industry.The slave trade also created a new market place. There were systems such as auctions
and sales, which created a source of income for many evil men. Historian Eric Williams believes
that the slave trade helped production more than it did profitability. Although Walter Rodney
argues that the Slave trade actually made Africa poorer. Although many kings became wealthy, it
was slowing down opportunity for Africa to prosper in domestic aspects. It can be argued that the
slave trade rocket industrialization both in the new world and Europe. But because of political
upheavals it retracted and retarded growth in Africa.

Question 3.
In Africa, the major motivation was wealth for the kings that would sell slaves to the westerners.
It was selfish gain that only benefited those who were in control of the trade. Slavery in the
Western World led to growth in business, specifically textile and plantations. It increased labor
production while production minimal cost. Slavery also led to drastic industrialization and
opportunity for technological growth. The common argument is that society became closer and
far more advance because of the labor that was being provided. Religious zealots argued that
God had created them superior to their slave counterpart. Since it’s initiation it demonstrated
strength for their economies, but as businesses became more self sustainable, it was less
necessary and eventually became more expensive for some.