Slave Trade and Slave Trade and European ImperialismEuropean Imperialism

The Slave TradeThe Slave Trade

When Europeans began to colonize the When Europeans began to colonize the Americas, they used Native Americans for slave Americas, they used Native Americans for slave labor. labor.

Diseases, however, decreased the population of Diseases, however, decreased the population of Native American slaves dramatically. Native American slaves dramatically.

The Native Americans were not used to The Native Americans were not used to diseases the colonists carried. diseases the colonists carried.

By the mid-1600’s, colonists in the Americas had By the mid-1600’s, colonists in the Americas had turned to Africa as a new source of labor.turned to Africa as a new source of labor.

Triangular TradeTriangular Trade

A pattern of trade known as triangular trade A pattern of trade known as triangular trade occurred between Europe, the Americas, and occurred between Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Africa.

Merchants from Europe brought manufactured Merchants from Europe brought manufactured goods to trade for captured and enslaved goods to trade for captured and enslaved Africans in one leg of the triangle. Africans in one leg of the triangle.

Africans were traded for items such as guns and Africans were traded for items such as guns and cloth from Europe, and rum and gunpowder from cloth from Europe, and rum and gunpowder from the American colonies. the American colonies.

Triangular TradeTriangular Trade

Another part of the trade triangle was Another part of the trade triangle was known as the Middle Passage. Enslaved known as the Middle Passage. Enslaved Africans were transported from Africa to the Africans were transported from Africa to the West Indies on crowded, dangerous ships. West Indies on crowded, dangerous ships.

They were traded for sugar, molasses, and They were traded for sugar, molasses, and other products in the Americas. other products in the Americas.

These agricultural goods were shipped to These agricultural goods were shipped to Europe and European colonies, making up Europe and European colonies, making up the third leg of the trade triangle. the third leg of the trade triangle.

Triangular TradeTriangular Trade

A Dutch ship that landed in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619 A Dutch ship that landed in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619 was the first known slave ship in North America. was the first known slave ship in North America.

The ship left Africa carrying 100 Africans, but arrived in The ship left Africa carrying 100 Africans, but arrived in Jamestown with only 20. Jamestown with only 20.

It was common for people to perish on slave ships. It was common for people to perish on slave ships. Often the ships carried hundreds of people in dangerous Often the ships carried hundreds of people in dangerous conditions. conditions.

They were chained together by their hands and feet.They were chained together by their hands and feet. The people were held in spaces that were only tall The people were held in spaces that were only tall

enough to sit in, so they were unable to stand up. enough to sit in, so they were unable to stand up. Illness spread quickly in the slave ships, and many Illness spread quickly in the slave ships, and many

Africans died in transit between Africa and the colonies.Africans died in transit between Africa and the colonies.

Triangular TradeTriangular Trade

They were chained together by their hands They were chained together by their hands and feet.and feet.

The people were held in spaces that were The people were held in spaces that were only tall enough to sit in, so they were only tall enough to sit in, so they were unable to stand up. unable to stand up.

Illness spread quickly in the slave ships, Illness spread quickly in the slave ships, and many Africans died in transit between and many Africans died in transit between Africa and the colonies.Africa and the colonies.

Colonization of AfricaColonization of Africa

At first, European explorers would only explore At first, European explorers would only explore the coasts of Africa. the coasts of Africa.

The interior was unexplored and unknown. The interior was unexplored and unknown. Exploration became safer as science improved. Exploration became safer as science improved. Most of Africa had been mapped by the mid-19th Most of Africa had been mapped by the mid-19th century. century.

Steamships and railroads allowed travel into the Steamships and railroads allowed travel into the continent. continent.

This started the age of colonialism. This started the age of colonialism. ColonialismColonialism is the forced control of one nation is the forced control of one nation

by another nation.by another nation.

Reasons for ColonizationReasons for Colonization

Africa is a continent of vast wealth. Africa is a continent of vast wealth. It has many raw materials such as cotton, It has many raw materials such as cotton,

rubber, ivory, and minerals that are not rubber, ivory, and minerals that are not found in Europe. found in Europe.

South Africa is rich in diamonds and gold. South Africa is rich in diamonds and gold. New industries in Europe needed metals New industries in Europe needed metals

like copper and tin. like copper and tin. The industrial revolution in Europe needed The industrial revolution in Europe needed

more raw materials. more raw materials.

Reasons for ColonizationReasons for Colonization

Europeans also used Africa as a source of Europeans also used Africa as a source of cheap labor. cheap labor.

African countries were new markets for African countries were new markets for European goods. European goods.

They wanted to keep a positive trade balance. They wanted to keep a positive trade balance. A A trade balancetrade balance is the difference in value is the difference in value

between a country’s imports and exports. between a country’s imports and exports. The trade balance is favorable when exports are The trade balance is favorable when exports are

greater than imports.greater than imports.

Suez CanalSuez Canal

Colonizing Africa made it possible to create secure trade Colonizing Africa made it possible to create secure trade routes for European countries. routes for European countries.

The Suez Canal was the most important trade route. The Suez Canal was the most important trade route. It is a man-made water route between Europe and Asia. It is a man-made water route between Europe and Asia. The Suez Canal is located in Egypt, and was completed The Suez Canal is located in Egypt, and was completed

in 1869. in 1869. Before its construction, ships had to travel around the Before its construction, ships had to travel around the

continent of Africa. continent of Africa. Both the British and French wanted to control the canal.Both the British and French wanted to control the canal. Cities and forts on the coast of Africa helped protect Cities and forts on the coast of Africa helped protect

trade ships.trade ships.

European WayEuropean Way

Europeans wanted to change African Europeans wanted to change African culture to be more like European culture.culture to be more like European culture.

A missionary is a person who goes to a A missionary is a person who goes to a foreign country to spread his or her foreign country to spread his or her religion. religion.

Missionaries brought Christianity to Africa.Missionaries brought Christianity to Africa. They also tried to end the slave trade.They also tried to end the slave trade.

Beginnings of New ImperialismBeginnings of New Imperialism

The end of the 19th century is called the The end of the 19th century is called the age of New Imperialism, which refers to age of New Imperialism, which refers to countries competing for land and power. countries competing for land and power.

The growth of European colonies in Africa The growth of European colonies in Africa is called “The Scramble for Africa”.is called “The Scramble for Africa”.

Great Britain Great Britain

Great Britain and France fought for control of the Great Britain and France fought for control of the region. region.

The British took control of the Cape Colony from The British took control of the Cape Colony from the Dutch in the early 1800’s so that the French the Dutch in the early 1800’s so that the French could not control it. could not control it.

The British also controlled some forts in West The British also controlled some forts in West Africa, which gave them control of the gold and Africa, which gave them control of the gold and ivory trade. ivory trade.

Britain took control of the Suez Canal and Egypt.Britain took control of the Suez Canal and Egypt.

FranceFrance

France wanted to increase its trade. France wanted to increase its trade. It also wanted to spread French culture. By It also wanted to spread French culture. By

1848, the French established themselves in 1848, the French established themselves in northern Algeria, their first colony. northern Algeria, their first colony.

Trade outposts were built in West Africa for the Trade outposts were built in West Africa for the slave trade. slave trade.

Most of the French-controlled land was desert.Most of the French-controlled land was desert. The French also traded palm oil and timber.The French also traded palm oil and timber.

BelgiumBelgium

Belgium was also competing for African land. Belgium was also competing for African land. King Leopold II purchased the Congo River King Leopold II purchased the Congo River

basin with money from investors.basin with money from investors. Belgians did not support the purchase.Belgians did not support the purchase. The amount of land purchased was bigger than The amount of land purchased was bigger than

Belgium itself. Belgium itself. The king wanted to make sure that other The king wanted to make sure that other

European countries could not control the region.European countries could not control the region.

Berlin ConferenceBerlin Conference

The Berlin Conference was a series of meetings The Berlin Conference was a series of meetings in Berlin, Germany, held by European nations in Berlin, Germany, held by European nations from 1884 to 1885.from 1884 to 1885.

African rulers did not attend. African rulers did not attend. The European nations discussed Africa’s land The European nations discussed Africa’s land

and how they wanted it to be divided.and how they wanted it to be divided. Ten percent of Africa was in European hands Ten percent of Africa was in European hands

going into the meeting. going into the meeting. Europeans owned most of Africa by its end.Europeans owned most of Africa by its end.