Africa and the Slave Trade

A new addition to Watts’ series on ‘Black History’, which explores black culture through examining past events and experiences, this volume looks at the impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade on Africa and enslaved Africans. The three-way trade between Europe, Africa and the Americas led to the transportation of an estimated 12-15 million Africans to the Americas, the equivalent of twice the population of London today. The book examines the appalling conditions of the barracoons and slave fortresses where captured men, women and children were kept prisoner awaiting transportation, as well as the horrors of the sea crossings and the harshness of life on the plantations. Case studies of individual slaves who fought for their freedom are included, with quotations from first-hand accounts such as those of Mary Prince, one of the few women to record her experiences, as well extracts from the work of the poet Maya Angelou. Contemporary engravings, paintings, posters and photographs provide a further layer of information. A final section explores how enslaved Africans maintained their roots, through music, religion and shared language, and examines the legacy of slavery for Africa. A useful reference section includes a timeline of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, a bibliography and further sources of information.