Joanna Webster

As early as the year 1400, the impact of slave trade was already immense in the most parts of Africa. It was also increasing on the significant territory of the continent owing to the preference that slave dealers had for the Africans. Since Africans were cheaply available comparing with slaves from other parts of the world, they were readily acquired. In addition, Africans were found to be immune to a number of tropical illnesses that made them easy to manage. These aspects among other facets highly increased the search for Africans slaves. The effect of the trade on Africans was adverse that ranged from social, psychological and cultural spheres of life.

The process of acquiring slaves was characterized by a lot of brutality and inhuman acts. Forceful acquisition resulted in physical torture as various cases of injuries were reported in the event of capturing the slaves. The Africans were subjected to long periods of sufferings and agony especially from the families that were separated from their breadwinners. This aspect was further fostered by the high preference for the African men that subjected most African families to situations of economic insufficiency. The economic effects became more pronounced in the African societies owing to the lack of enough labor force. This resulted into high rates of poverty in most of the African societies. Apart from the mental torture, there was adverse psychological suffering as families separated from their beloved members. Under adverse situations, cases of depression were witnessed that resulted in instances of deaths being reported among the slave families.

It is also reported that African slaves were highly preferred for participation in European wars. This witnessed a lot of Africans being sent to various European countries in order to participate in a many different wars that were rampart in Europe. As a result of this exposure, many Africans were physically injured besides a larger number that were killed in the course of the wars. Participation in these constant battles also resulted in psychological tortures owing to the fear of uncertainties related to the war activities.

The practices of slave trade highly compromised the freedom and the human integrity of Africans. Culturally, the activities related to the slave trade were highly detested in the African cultures. It was therefore a direct form of abuse to the African systems, hence compromising the sovereignty of the systems. The forceful labor that was characterized by constant punishments was also contrary to the cultural beliefs of Africans .

In Europe, African slaves were exposed to numerous cases of ethnical abuse. They were deprived of key essentials that made them live in deplorable conditions. Instance of abuse of their rights became common. This was even more devastating for ladies who were sexually abused hence compromising their human respect and integrity. In terms of access to vital social amenities, other races that were considered more superior to the Africans were preferred. Constant social abuse continuously became more pronounced in a number of spheres. Additionally, another harsh experience that the slaves witnessed was constant tropical infections that were attributed to environmental changes. The effects of these diseases became more devastating owing to the deplorable conditions that characterized the lives of slaves in various European countries.