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Slavery in the Western World. Beginnings of Slavery. Slavery had been a practice for centuries, even in Africa. You would usually become a slave because you owed someone money or you were a prisoner Once your debt was repaid you could leave, and your treatment wasn’t horrible.
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Beginnings of Slavery • Slavery had been a practice for centuries, even in Africa. • You would usually become a slave because you owed someone money or you were a prisoner • Once your debt was repaid you could leave, and your treatment wasn’t horrible. • Was not based on any race. Blacks held black as slaves in Africa and traded them.
King Mansa Musa • Emperor of Mali 1280-1337 • Brought Islam to West Africa • Set up a vast empire through mining and a trading triangle of gold and spices. • Legends of his gold spread to Europe • The Europeans then hoped to find this gold for their own use. • Significance: Setting up trade with Europe and getting Europeans exposed to Africa.
Colonial Influence • When capitalism started to produce a competition for who could accumulate the most wealth, European colonies began to explore new worlds. • They landed in Africa (the Portuguese were first) • Once there, they found gold and treasures • They also found that many African tribes were small and un-united
The Renaissance • Along with capitalism, the Renaissance had an influence on the birth of this type of slavery. • Science and technology grew, especially in Europe • European technology and weaponry was more advanced. • They had guns, horses, and fast ships to sail the seas. • When they landed in Africa, they saw an opportunity to make money and conquer.
View on Race • Because of societal changes at the time like the Renaissance and the birth of Capitalism, Europeans began to see black Africans as “savages” • They believed it was their duty to tame God’s savage creatures. • They believed in their hearts that they were better than all Africans and they the Africans were not people as they were.