Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Essay

Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Essay. The trans-Atlantic slave trade was the major long-distance forced movement of people in history before the mid-nineteenth century. Even though the slave trade had transformative effects on the global economy and on those who were captured, it had devastating effects. The trade was a crime against humanity as many Africans were enslaved, tortured, kidnapped, and murdered. Most Africans were captured in raids along the coast by the European traders, but the majority were purchased from African-European dealers. After being captured, the captives were then trooped to the coast, usually preserving the long journey of weeks and months. When they arrived at the coast, they were confined in the large stone forts built by the European trading firms. They were then laden with the trade goods immediately when the slave ships arrived from Europe. The local African leaders were paid taxes and were offered gifts by the captain for accepting to trade