SOC232H5 Lecture 6: Week 6 part 1
Document Summary
Movie: shackles of memory- the atlantic slave trade. 15th century a new wave of european expansionism. Irrestible movement of exploration on unknown lands was linked to the rise of financial and commercial capitalism. Establishment of trading posts, appropriation of lands and territories seemed a source of new riches, trade and profits. Commercial rivalries and commercial imperialisms between spain, portugal, the. In order to extract the riches, an abundant labor was needed. Unfortunate indigenous people of these lands who were reduced to slavery were dying from hard labor and the diseases brought by europe. Assumed that africans are strong and naturally suited for work in tropical climates. Economic necessities dictated to reduce them to slavery to clear and cultivate american lands, otherwise sugar would be too expensive. Pattern of trade established that linked europe, africa and the american along such convenient sailing routes. Atlantic slave trade had made this ocean the center of world trade.