How far do you agree with the view that slave trade was a necessary evil to the Africans?

The position that slave trade was a necessary evil to the Africans lacks sound argument. Slave trade refers to the manipulative as well as exploitative buying and selling of able-bodied men from the African continent to Europe and the Americas. On one hand, slave trade led to the modernization of Africa as well as introduction of foreign goods on the African continent. On another hand slave trade affected the demographics of the African continent, led to death of Africans as well as led to the downfall of other African states. The mandate of this paper is to scrutinize the assertion that slave trade was a necessary evil.

Slave trade was significant as it led to the civilization and modernization of the African continent. This is because following the abolition of slave trade in the 1830s, ex-slaves were repatriated to the freetown of Sierra Leone and owing to the exposure they had with Europe, they became the first doctors, pilots and even teachers. These occupations improved the condition of living for the Africans. More so, slave trade was critical in fermenting technocratic leadership. For example, King Jaja of Opobo and Nana of Itsikiriland who were ex-slaves managed to use their experience of plantation agriculture in their respective states, hence paving way for the successful transition from slave trade to legitimate trade in the states in question. Therefore, slave trade was key as it led to the modernization and civilization of the African continent.

Slave trade was critical in the African continent as it led to the introduction of foreign goods. This is because in return of their able-bodied men and women, the Africans got foreign goods such as gunpowder and second-hand guns. According to J. D. Fage, these were used to defend African states from attacks from fellow African states. Thus, slave trade was vital as it led to the introduction of foreign goods on the African continent.

On the contrary, slave trade was negative as it affected the demographics of the African continent. This is because slave trade favoured men and these were important in population growth. According to A. G. Hopkins, slave trade, because of the fact that it favoured males, may have affected female occupational roles thus sharply affecting population growth. Hence, slave trade negatively affected the demographics of Africa.

In addition, slave trade led to the death of many Africans. This is because the packaging, transportation and shipping processes of slaves from West and East African states such as Dahomey and Buganda respectively was marred with abuse, torture and harrasment of the Africans which would result in deaths. Not only that, the slaves sold, were exposed to extremely harsh and deplorable working conditions in European countries such as Britain and Portugal as well as America which necessitated deaths. Therefore, slave trade led to the massive death of the Africans.

[blur]Moreover, slave trade promoted political instability at tension in Africa. This is because the goods that the Africans got as a result of trans-Atlantic and Indian Ocean slave trade such as gunpowder and second-hand guns caused warfare amongst African states such as the Oyo Empire, Asante and Bonny. Wars were costly as they not only retarded Africa’s growth rate but culminated in casualties and deaths. Hence, slave trade led to political instability and tension in Africa. [/blur]

[blur] Furthermore, slave trade led to the collapse of some African states. This is because slave trade featured slave raiding and hunting which demanded a state to raid or hunt for slaves in a far-away state. For example, Dahomey thrived at a time, the Oyo Empire was crumbling. Walter Rodney notes that this was because Dahomey was milking the weaker Oyo Empire of its populace in order to sell to Europeans. Therefore, slave trade led to the downfall of other African states.[/blur]

[blur]In conclusion, from the above arguments one can conclude that the position that slave trade was a necessary evil does not carry great momentum. On one hand, slave trade led to the civilization and modernization of Africa as well as introduction of foreign goods while on the other hand, it led to the death of the Africans, promoted political tension and instability, affected the demographics of the African continent and led to the collapse of other African states.[/blur]