| 1. |
Focus Question: How did the institution of slavery function in the colonial trading system? |
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Why did the Spanish and Portuguese turn to African slaves for labor? Where did the slave population actually surpass the white population during the late 1500s? When did slavery decline in late 17th century? In what geographical areas did slavery expand and why? By 1700, which were the most prosperous colonies? |
| 2. |
Focus Question: How did the plantation economy function in the transatlantic trade system? |
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In the transatlantic trade system, what did each participant (America, Europe, and Africa) contribute? In which colonies, did black slaves possess the fewest legal rights? What was the purpose of the legal codes regarding slaves? What role did racial prejudice play in the maintaining slave societies? |
| 3. |
Focus Question: How did slavery secure European/American wealth? |
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What was the basic impulse for the slave trade? Which nation was the primary carrier of slaves throughout most of the history of the slave trade? By the 18th century, which nations were becoming dominant in trade? When did the USA and Britain outlaw slaving? How important was the slave trade to European dominance and wealth? |
| 4. |
Focus Question: What is the historical background of slavery and how did the institution function in Africa prior to the transatlantic trade? |
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How old is the institution of slavery? How widespread was the use of slavery in premodern societies? What was the main source of slaves prior to the transatlantic trade? Who controlled the oriental trade and why types of slaves were in the majority in this area? What type of slaves were the European nations most interested in obtaining? What impact did the slave trade have on the West African states during the 17th and 18th centuries? When and by whom was slavery ended in Africa? |
| 5. |
Focus Question: What role did Africa and Africans play in the slave trade?
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From whom did Europeans slave traders generally obtain their human cargoes? Why didn't the Europeans play a more active role in gathering slaves? What was the media of exchange for slaves? What factor chiefly determined where along the coast slaves where traded? Which European nation continued to trade slaves the longest and where did these slaves go? How many slaves reached their American or European destinations during the period 1451-1870? Approximately how many peoples were lost to Africa during this period? How many people were enslaved by internal Africa societies themselves during this period? |
| 6. |
Focus Question: What impact did the slave trade have on Africa?
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What can we say for "certain" about the impact of the slave trade on Africa? Why is it so difficult to make general statements regarding the economic, demographic and social impact of slavery within Africa? What objections could be raised (THINK) to the demographic argument offered by the author regarding the relative decline of African population in relationship to the rest of the world? |