The Slave Trade

by James Walvin

The sixteenth-century Spanish and Portuguese explorers who went to Africa in search of gold discovered an even more lucrative cargo: slaves. A hugely profitable transatlantic trade in human lives soon developed, linking the continents of Europe, Africa, and the Americas, and great fortunes were built. Africans and their descendants cultivated sugar throughout the Caribbean and Brazil, and tobacco, cotton, and rice in the American South. A fervent abolitionist campaign eventually succeeded in changing public opinion and forced governments to outlaw it, but the Atlantic slave trade persisted well into the nineteenth century, with incalculable human costs.

James Walvin is an expert guide to the origins, development, eventual abolition, and legacies of the slave trade, focusing on the experiences of those who lived through slavery. The ten facsimile documents include plans and logs of slave ships and auction sale notices as well as private letters and emancipation proclamations. A wealth of evocative images—photographs, paintings, objects, and contemporary maps—give further insight into the horrors and global impact of the transatlantic slave trade.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

110 pages, Paperback

First published July 25, 1999

About the author

James Walvin taught for many years at the University of York where he is now Professor of History Emeritus. He also held visiting positions in the Caribbean, the U.S.A. and Australia. He won the prestigious Martin Luther King Memorial Prize for his book Black and White, and has published widely on the history of slavery and the slave trade. His book The People's Game was a pioneering study of the history of football and remains in print thirty years after its first publication.

Reviews

[IC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is for my Slavery in New York class. Of course I am going to enjoy this book because it tells me more about history and the history that is hidden.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed the primary sources attached at the end of the text. From Walvin’s account and source selection the reader can understand why the abolitionist movement took the shape it did. A bit short, felt like I wanted a bit more from the book.

[Chris Demer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a marvelous little book and should be required reading for any students of American History.
While there was not a lot of new information from my perspective, having read several books on slavery and the slave trade, it is a succinct, readable summary of the topic.
He begins with the earliest slave trading in the west of Africa by the Portuguese and Spanish, and continues through the changes that took place over the centuries. Eventually, he covers the stirrings of the abolitionist movement and the outlawing of the trade.By this time there were several million slaves of African descent in Brazil, the Caribbean and North America creating massive wealth for the few at the expense of lives and health of the slaves.

The book is wonderfully illustrated with drawings, paintings and photographs, and includes photocopies of some original documents.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants a succinct, historically accurate accounting of the tragedy of slavery and the slave trade, including its impact still felt today.

[Joanne Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

At only 110 pages, Jame's Walvin's book can only give a general overview of the history of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. However, it breaks its arguments down into easily digestible chunks, and is a useful jumping-off point both for students, and anyone with a non-academic interest in the subject.

[Paul Quick · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting book but needs more details. for example, he mentioned as a slave trader but did not mention much of his connection to queen elizabeth he became an admiral but had been a privateer with a letter of marque. also, he failed to mention how he died near Cuba fighting spanish and his relationship to sir francis drake. More details would have added depth to the book.

[Eric Pape · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview by an authority. Complementary illustrations make this a compelling read.