Prompt:
Considering the rise and growth of the export slave trades from Africa, in addition to all of the conditions that preceded and accompanied them (both in the
institution of slavery and conditions governing African societies generally), is it possible to identify a particular group of people, a key
sociopolitical/economic institution, or some other singular factor that primarily drove the various transformations in the devastating export slave trades and
their various related effects in Africa (and around the Atlantic) from the 1500s to the early 1800s? If so, who or what do you think that factor is? If not, why
isn’t it possible to identify one? Regardless of your position, convey your understanding of the slave trades’ complex nature and the African as well as Atlantic
contexts in your writing, using a range of course readings from week 5 to week 8. You must use no less than 5 sources in total (please use ALL of the ones I
provide through the PDF and NO outside sources).
