Question

How did local African towns get affected by the Slave Trade?

Answer 1

Answer:

Local towns experienced a loss of economic development and resources that were re-allocated to the Slave Trade. There was also violence and social division.

Explanation:

The beginning of the Atlantic slave trade in the late 1400s disrupted African societal structure as Europeans infiltrated the West African coastline, and this drew people from the center of Africa to the West Coast to be sold into slavery.  It is estimated that a total of 12.5 million Africans were sent across the Atlantic and African slave sellers sold captives to European traders.  On the African side, the slave trade was generally the business of rulers or wealthy and powerful merchants.  At that time, identity was based on kinship and loyalty by means of membership to a specific kingdom. Although the number of African villagers actively involved in the slave trade was small, the villages that experienced raids removed young adults and laborers from the towns, constraining the economic development of African societies and re-allocating resources to the Slave Trade instead of other pursuits. It also encouraged ethnic and social division and a violent disregard for African lives that was based in racism.