Describe the role of African kingdoms in the Trans-Saharan slave trade. Did they act solely as victims, or did they participate in the trade?

African kingdoms were not solely victims; they actively participated in the Trans-Saharan slave trade. Some kingdoms profited from selling slaves to European traders, using the trade to gain wealth, power, and access to goods like firearms and textiles. This participation was often driven by existing ethnic divisions and conflicts.

Explain how the kingdom of Dahomey became a major slaving power. What unique factors contributed to its prominence in the slave trade?

Dahomey rose to prominence as a slaving power due to its well-trained standing army, which was used to conquer neighboring kingdoms and conduct slave raids. The kingdom's military culture, which discouraged men from non-military careers, also increased the demand for slave labor. Additionally, the need to keep the army occupied led to constant warfare and slave acquisition.

How did European colonization efforts in Africa eventually shift from supporting slavery to opposing it? What motivated this change, and what were some of the consequences?

European colonization initially supported slavery, but later shifted to opposing it due to a combination of factors, including abolitionist movements and strategic interests. Anti-slavery efforts were used to justify colonization, as seen in the British actions against Lagos and Benin. Consequences included the suppression of the slave trade, but also the imposition of colonial rule and the slow eradication of domestic slavery.

The Trans-saharan Slave Trade Lesson Plan for Grade 12th Grade

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Learning Objective

I can analyze the causes, characteristics, and consequences of the Trans-Saharan slave trade.

1
The transatlantic slave trade involved the forced transportation of approximately 12 million Africans to the Americas to provide slave labor for European colonies.
2
Prior to the arrival of Europeans, slavery existed in Africa through the Trans-Saharan and Indian Ocean slave trades, where enslaved people were used as laborers, domestic servants, and soldiers.
3
The Kingdom of Dahomey was infamous for its reliance on slavery, with its economy and military culture deeply intertwined with the capture, trade, and sacrifice of enslaved people, even resisting abolition efforts until its collapse.

The Trans-Saharan Slave Trade

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Learning Objective

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