Slave Coast of West Africa

Negroland and Guinea with the European Settlements, 1736

The Slave Coast on a John Bartholomew & Co. map published c. 1914 (part)

Africa slave Regions

Slave Coast of West Africa

The Slave Coast of West Africa refers to a coastal region in West Africa, extending approximately from the Volta River in modern-day Ghana to the Niger River in Nigeria, that became a major source of African slaves during the Atlantic slave trade from the 16th to the 19th century. This area, known for its significant involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, includes parts of the contemporary nations of Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, and was notorious for its slave markets and forts, which were established by European traders.

History

The history of the Slave Coast is deeply intertwined with the broader history of the transatlantic slave trade. European contact with West Africa began in the 15th century, but it was in the 16th century that the demand for slave labor in the Americas led to the establishment of the slave trade on an industrial scale. The Slave Coast became one of the most important sources of slaves, fueling the economies of European colonial powers such as Portugal, Britain, France, and the Netherlands.

European traders built forts and castles along the coast, such as the infamous Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, although it is located slightly west of the traditional boundaries of the Slave Coast. These forts served as trading posts where human beings were bought and sold, often in exchange for goods like firearms, alcohol, and other European manufactured goods. The slaves were then transported across the Atlantic in brutal conditions on ships bound for the Americas, a journey known as the Middle Passage.

Impact

The impact of the slave trade on the region was profound. It led to significant depopulation in some areas, altered social structures, and contributed to the rise of powerful kingdoms and states that thrived on the slave trade, such as the Kingdom of Dahomey. The trade also left a lasting legacy of cultural and racial diaspora in the Americas, where the descendants of those enslaved continue to influence societies across the continent.

Abolition

The abolition of the slave trade began in the late 18th century, with movements in Europe and the Americas calling for an end to human enslavement. The British Parliament passed the Slave Trade Act 1807, which made the trade illegal across the British Empire, followed by other European powers. However, illegal trading continued for decades, and slavery itself was not abolished in all parts of the Americas until the late 19th century.

Legacy

Today, the Slave Coast is remembered for its role in one of the darkest chapters of human history. Countries along the coast have sought to preserve the memory of those who suffered, with museums and memorials dedicated to the history of the slave trade. The region's history is also a subject of academic study, exploring the complex interactions between Africa and Europe and the long-term effects of the slave trade on African societies.