The transatlantic slave trade from the early fifteenth to the second half of the nineteenth century played a major role for the development of the modern world. It enabled Europe's transition to capitalism, the nation-state, and imperialism, and fostered the growth of western European nations and empires. Slave ships were the most important link between Europe, Africa and America and enabled the development of the Americans. All this, as well as the creation of a higher standard of living for many Europeans and Americans, happened at the expense of millions of enslaved people and was connected to inconceivable suffering.
Talking about the transatlantic slave trade means talking about the biggest case of forced migration in recorded human history. Over the course of four centuries, slave ships continued to cross the Atlantic. It is estimated that between the years of 1500 and 1900 approximately 11,7 million Africans were forcefully deported into slavery, mainly from West, Central and South Africa. A mere 9,8 to 10 million of these abducted prisoners reached their intended destinations alive. The other 1,7 million prisoners were not able to endure the torments of the transatlantic crossing - the middle passage -, or died shortly after their arrival as a result of the deprivations they suffered whilst on the slave ships.
Due to the immense importance of the middle passage for the slave trade between Africa and the Americans, this paper investigates the topic further. A transatlantic slave trade will serve as background for further analysis. The macrostructure of the slave trade will be examined using the example of the 18th century French slave ship "Diligent". Concerning the microstructure, the historical records of Captain Theodore Canot and additional secondary literature will serve as the basis for an analysis of the conditions on slave ships at the time. In a final step, the life of Ramón Ferrer - captain of the slave ship "Amistad" - will be reconstructed with the aid of newly released documents and by using the chronicles of Canot as a guideline to speculate about gaps in Ferrer's biography.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Periodisation and Structure of the Transatlantic Slave Trade
- 2.1 Periodisation
- 2.1.1 First Phase 1400 - 1650
- 2.1.2 Second Phase 1650 - 1800
- 2.1.3 Third Phase 1800 - 1888
- 2.2 Macrostructure
- 2.3 Microstructure
- 2.4 Interim Conclusion
- 2.1 Periodisation
- 3. Personification: Ramón Ferrer & Theodore Canot
- 3.1 Entry into human trafficking
- 3.2 First Traces
- 3.3 Ferrer as a righteous merchant
- 3.4 Ferrer as illegal slave trader
- 3.5 Possessions of Ramón Ferrer
- 3.6 Corruption, profit and dangers of illegal slave trade
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to investigate the transatlantic slave trade, focusing on the middle passage. It will analyze the trade's periodization, macrostructure (using the 18th-century French ship Diligent as an example), and microstructure (based on the historical records of Captain Theodore Canot). Finally, it will reconstruct the life of Ramón Ferrer, captain of the Amistad, utilizing newly released documents and Canot's chronicles.
- Periodization and phases of the transatlantic slave trade.
- Macro- and microstructure of the slave trade networks.
- The conditions on slave ships during the transatlantic journey.
- The lives and roles of key figures involved in the slave trade, such as Ramón Ferrer and Theodore Canot.
- The economic and political factors driving the transatlantic slave trade.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the immense scale and profitability of the transatlantic slave trade, contextualizing it within a longer history of human trafficking. It highlights the horrific conditions endured by enslaved Africans, from capture and the middle passage to forced labor in the Americas. The chapter emphasizes the triangular trade system and the roles of various actors, from European investors to African elites and plantation owners, in perpetuating this brutal system. The introduction sets the stage for the subsequent analysis by highlighting the significance of the middle passage and outlining the paper's objectives.
2. Periodisation and Structure of the Transatlantic Slave Trade: This chapter provides a periodization of the transatlantic slave trade into three phases (1400-1650, 1650-1800, 1800-1888), characterized by varying levels of intensity and involvement of different European powers. The chapter examines the macrostructure of the slave trade using the example of the 18th-century French ship Diligent, and the microstructure is analyzed by exploring conditions on slave ships based on historical records and literature. The chapter lays the groundwork for further analysis by providing a historical framework and introducing key structural elements of the trade.
Keywords
Transatlantic slave trade, middle passage, slavery, human trafficking, Theodore Canot, Ramón Ferrer, triangular trade, slave ships, periodization, macrostructure, microstructure, colonialism, African diaspora.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of the Transatlantic Slave Trade
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a paper investigating the transatlantic slave trade. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The preview is designed to offer a structured and professional overview of the paper's content for academic use.
What topics are covered in this paper?
The paper focuses on the transatlantic slave trade, particularly the middle passage. It examines the trade's periodization into three phases (1400-1650, 1650-1800, 1800-1888), its macrostructure (using the 18th-century French ship Diligent as a case study), and its microstructure (based on Captain Theodore Canot's records). It also reconstructs the life of Ramón Ferrer, captain of the Amistad, using newly released documents and Canot's chronicles. Further, it explores the conditions on slave ships, the roles of key figures, and the economic and political factors driving the trade.
How is the transatlantic slave trade periodized in this paper?
The paper divides the transatlantic slave trade into three phases: 1400-1650, 1650-1800, and 1800-1888. Each phase is characterized by different levels of intensity and the involvement of various European powers.
What is the significance of the Diligent and the Amistad in this paper?
The 18th-century French ship Diligent serves as a case study to analyze the macrostructure of the slave trade. The Amistad, captained by Ramón Ferrer, is central to the paper's biographical reconstruction of a key figure involved in the slave trade.
What sources are used in this research?
The paper utilizes historical records, including Captain Theodore Canot's chronicles and newly released documents, to analyze the microstructure of the slave trade and reconstruct the life of Ramón Ferrer.
Who are the key figures discussed in this paper?
The paper focuses on Ramón Ferrer, captain of the Amistad, and Theodore Canot, whose records provide insight into the conditions on slave ships. The paper also examines the roles of other actors involved in the triangular trade, from European investors to African elites and plantation owners.
What are the key themes explored in this paper?
Key themes include the periodization and phases of the transatlantic slave trade, the macro- and microstructure of the slave trade networks, the conditions on slave ships, the lives and roles of key figures (like Ramón Ferrer and Theodore Canot), and the economic and political factors driving the transatlantic slave trade.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Transatlantic slave trade, middle passage, slavery, human trafficking, Theodore Canot, Ramón Ferrer, triangular trade, slave ships, periodization, macrostructure, microstructure, colonialism, and African diaspora.
- Quote paper
- Silvan Wilsch (Author), 2016, The Middle Passage. The Roles of Ramón Ferrer and Theodore Canot in the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/374965
