Slavery, Colonialism and neo-colonialism have been described as the tripartite
crime against Africa. A crime attributable to the Euro-Americans. Two nations laid
the foundation of what later became the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. These were
Portugal and Spain.The voyage of discovery reached Black Africa in 1445, when
Dinis Dias and Lanzarote de Freitas anchored their fleets at the mouth of the
Senegal River, and reconnoitered some of the Cape Verde islands. The remaining
parts of the Archipelago was discovered jointly by the Venetian Alvise de
Cadamosto (1430-1480), Antonio Uso Mare from Genoa. There were no further
discoveries until the death of Henry the Navigator in 1460. As at this period the
local chiefs were already into the lucrative slave trade. Pedro de Cintas in 1462
discovered the coasts of Guinea, the Bissagos Islands, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Fernando Po and Lopez Gonzalves navigated Fernando Po and Sao Tome Islands.
Vasco Da Gama came on stage between 1460-1524, got through Cape Verde and
rounded the Cape of Good Hope (20th march 1499). Thus, the routes to the Indies
were opened. Diego Dias took another flank, reaching Madagascar (1500),
Ascension Island (1501) and Islands of St. Helena (1502). With these breath-taking
voyages of discovery it became possible to cross the Atlantic directly without
passing through the harsh West African Coast.
The Mediterranean had always been the centre of attraction. It united North Africa
and Europe. When it fell into the hands of Islam, Europe, particularly Portugal and
Spain sought for alternative routes. Islam could not match the Christian nations in
the mastery of the sea in quest of economic prosperity. It therefore took the
Portuguese nearly 100 years (1415-1498) to reconnoiter the precise circumference
of Africa. In this way trans-Atlantic trade replaced Trans Saharan trade. Reason being that on the other side of the Atlantic, Christopher Columbus had in 1492 set
foot on the new world. Lands that prove very suitable for sugar, cotton, tobacco,
and indigo plantations.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Slave Trade
3. The Trans-Atlantic Slave-Trade
4. The abolition of the Trans-atlantic Slave Trade
5. Moves for the Abolition of the Slave Trade
6. IMPACT OF THE SLAVE TRADE ON AFRICA
7. Impact of Colonialism and Neo – colonialism
8. WOMEN AT THE RECEIVING END
Objectives and Core Themes
This work provides an in-depth historical, literary, and feminist analysis of the enduring trauma inflicted upon the African continent by the interconnected forces of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, colonial subjugation, and modern neo-imperialism. It specifically explores how these systemic exploitations have been reflected and challenged in African literature, with a particular focus on the marginalized role and the resilience of African women.
- The historical continuity of exploitation from slavery through colonialism to neo-colonialism.
- The use of literature as a critical mirror to expose social and political disillusionment in post-independence Africa.
- The specific, multifaceted impact of structural violence on African women.
- The necessity of historical accountability, reparations, and the reclaiming of dignity for the African diaspora.
Excerpt from the Book
IMPACT OF THE SLAVE TRADE ON AFRICA
Without prejudice to our earlier estimations on the human casualty, the Afro-American Encyclopaedia maintains that more than fourteen million slaves from Africa did arrive the New World. But it is reckoned that about ten times that number must have perished on transit considering the nature of the transportation. As usual, very greedy merchants overloaded their cargoes, even when the ships were in poor mechanical and maritime conditions. When Weather conditions got worse in the high seas, the option became a total loss of the whole cargo. At given periods during the obnoxious trade, especially when it entered the smuggling stage, whole populations of slaves were simply emptied into the ocean for one reason or the other.
According to Prof. Bade Onimode, Nigerian exports alone amounted to 22,000 slaves during the four hundred and fifty years traffic in human beings.
So far, Prof. Philip Curtin’s research in 1969 appears to be the most credible assessment on the population loss.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a historical overview of the initial European voyages to Africa and the shift from trans-Saharan to trans-Atlantic trade routes.
The Slave Trade: Examines the labor motivations behind the slave trade, noting the shift from Indian labor to the perceived ruggedness of the African labor force.
The Trans-Atlantic Slave-Trade: Details the mechanics of the "triangular trade," the brutal conditions of the Middle Passage, and the socio-economic origins of the trade.
The abolition of the Trans-atlantic Slave Trade: Discusses the humanitarian and philosophical shifts, including the influence of Enlightenment thought, that led to calls for abolition.
Moves for the Abolition of the Slave Trade: Outlines the legal and political actions taken, such as the Mansfield ruling and the formation of naval preventive squadrons.
IMPACT OF THE SLAVE TRADE ON AFRICA: Analyzes the catastrophic population loss and the long-term socio-psychological damage caused by the trade.
Impact of Colonialism and Neo – colonialism: Investigates how the post-slavery transition facilitated the military and cultural conquest of Africa, leading to systemic dependence.
WOMEN AT THE RECEIVING END: Focuses on the unique suffering and courageous resistance of women in African society, emphasizing the need for gender-conscious reparations.
Keywords
Slavery, Colonialism, Neo-colonialism, Africa, Reparations, Womanism, Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, African Literature, Human Dignity, Imperialism, Post-independence, Exploitation, Resistance, Gender, Socio-cultural Retardation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research?
The work examines the historical and literary consequences of slavery, colonialism, and neo-imperialism in Africa, arguing that these are continuous forms of systemic exploitation.
What are the central thematic pillars of the work?
The core themes include the loss of African human dignity, the systemic economic underdevelopment of the continent, and the role of literature in mirroring these realities.
What is the author's primary research goal?
The goal is to mobilize a Pan-African consciousness by exposing the fraudulent practices of Euro-American imperialists and advocating for the restoration of African dignity.
Which scientific or analytical methods are applied?
The author employs a multi-disciplinary approach, combining historical analysis, sociological observation, and literary criticism to interpret the African experience.
What does the main body of the work address?
It addresses the transition from the slave trade to formal colonization and eventually to neo-colonialism, while analyzing specific literary works that capture these periods.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Slavery, Colonialism, Neo-colonialism, African Literature, Womanism, and Reparations.
How does the author characterize the role of African women in this context?
The author argues that women are the primary victims of social and political crises but have also been the most resilient, actively participating in resistance and the fight for liberation.
What is the significance of the literary analysis included?
The literature analysis serves as a way to "re-write" history from an African perspective, using novels as mirrors that reflect the true impact of external forces on African identity.
What is the author's stance on the concept of reparations?
The author strongly advocates for reparations, suggesting that historical compensation is necessary for the continent's social and economic upliftment, particularly for the benefit of women.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Dr. Dr. Ikechukwu Aloysius Orjinta (Autor:in), 2011, Slavery, Colonialism, Neo-Imperialism and their Impact on Africa, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/177948
