Methods used to capture African enslaved people Flashcards
(11 cards)
What era began with Europeans going to Africa to kidnap people from coastal villages?
The Atlantic slave trade era
This era marked the start of systematic abduction of Africans for slavery.
How did Europeans abduct Africans from villages?
Using military superiority and surprise
Europeans exploited the lack of protection in small African villages.
What tactic did Europeans use to exploit African tribes?
Pitting them against one another
This strategy weakened the tribes and made them vulnerable to raids.
What opportunity did Europeans take while African tribes were fighting each other?
Raid villages and steal Africans for slavery
This led to the abduction of many individuals during conflicts.
What type of individuals were often taken as enslaved people?
Prisoners of war captured during battles
This included individuals from both sides of the conflict.
Who were the middlemen that facilitated the kidnapping when Europeans became reluctant to travel inland?
Wealthy African war lords
These individuals conducted surprise raids to capture enslaved people.
What often happened to adults and infants during the abduction process?
Adults were bound and gagged; infants were sometimes thrown into sacks
This highlights the brutal nature of the abduction.
How did enslaved people typically travel to the coast?
On foot in coffles
Coffles are lines of captives shackled or bound together.
For what reasons were some individuals enslaved before being given to Europeans?
Debt, crime, or other punishable actions
These individuals were exchanged for valuable items.
What items were exchanged for enslaved people in trade with Europeans?
Guns, tobacco, alcohol, textiles, and beads
These items were not readily available in Africa.
What evolved as a result of the trade in enslaved people between African leaders and European merchants?
A gradual trade system
This system linked African leaders with European markets.
