Why the Trans-Atlantic Slavery Was Based on Pre-existing Slavery - Admission/Application Essay Example

Scholars have argued that using the word “slave” is not appropriate when referring to the slaves in Africa. However, the names were dependent on the country of origin of the slave. According to Inikori the slaves on the African continent were called serfs (40). They worked in estates owned by the elite. Just like the slaves in England, they had no freedom of association, as it was imposed by the law (Curtin 6). In countries like Egypt, though with African rulers, the pharaoh also had slaves. This is the evidence pointing to the fact that the slave trade in Egypt was in existence long before the Trans-Atlantic trade. The pharaoh even justified that the practice was allowed by Egyptian gods. Slaves in Africa during this time served their masters in their households and farms.

In most cases, the people captured during wars were used as slaves by the captors. Similar to the Trans-Atlantic they had minimal rights. On the gold coast, the rulers engaged in warfare to expand their territories and acquire slaves for export. The slave trade on the gold coast was entirely handled by Africans themselves and not whites.  Among tribes in West Africa, rulers sold slaves to both the Muslim traders and the European markets (Curtin 13).  They also used slaves to carry out their household duties and to carry goods while travelling.

The slaves in Africa were not only captives from war but also those who were punished for committing crimes.  If for example, someone killed a child, he or she was forced to work as a slave in another village as a form of punishment. People who disowned their communities were viewed as outcasts. People who were not related by blood or marriage to the clans were also used as slaves.

The difference between African slavery and that practised during the Trans-Atlantic trade was that the Trans-Atlantic trade was prevalent. In Africa, slaves could not be differentiated from the rest of the community. They were well fed and clothed. They could complain of being mistreated by the elders or refuse to be sold to a master they did not want. On the other hand, slaves in the Trans-Atlantic trade were mistreated by traders. Women were in some cases raped and killed. Slaves would be sold to anyone and their opinion did not count. When travelling, if one of the slaves became ill, their masters would opt to kill, instead of giving medical assistance.

In conclusion, there is no doubt that there was slavery before the Trans-Atlantic trade.  Among African tribes, slaves were allowed to marry.  Before the trade, African servants were highly valued by their masters and were viewed as human beings (Inikori 50).