I believe Professor Lovejoy’s argument is correct. The trans-Atlantic slave trade did underdevelop Africa. Generally, the trans-Atlantic slave trade transformed the African continent significantly, particularly in terms of population growth. The slave trade led to an absolute loss of population. As a result, there was less manpower that could facilitate economic development in the continent as a significant proportion of the population had been transformed into slaves for sale (Lovejoy, 1989). It is also important to note that the economic advantages that accrued from slave trade could not offset the social and political costs of participation in the slave trade. Basically, the African continent lost a lot economically as the Europeans exploited them. The trade had disastrous effects on the continent as its relative position in the world trade significantly declined. The slave trade led to disunity among Africans as fellow Africans who were more powerful exploited their fellows by selling them as slaves. Additionally, the focus on slave trade impeded the Africans from venturing into various other lucrative forms of trade. Another reason the trans-Atlantic slave trade underdeveloped Africa is that the price of slaves declined although the domestic demand was high. As a result, the proceeds were insufficient to spur domestic economic growth.
John Thornton has an opposing view regarding the impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. According to him, the trans-Atlantic slave trade did not underdevelope Africa because slavery was widespread and indigenous in the African society. As such, the Europeans simply worked with the existing market and the African slave merchants. The African slave merchants supplied the Europeans with slaves and that the trade had no significant impact on the continent economically. However, this may not be true because the European slave traders exploited the Africans by offering little compensation for the slaves. As a result, the African traders became losers in the trade. Additionally, the trans-Atlantic slave trade depopulated the continent leaving a few people to participate in economic development. Therefore, the trade had disastrous effects of the continent economically.
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References
Lovejoy, P. (1989). The impact of the Atlantic slave trade on Africa: A review of the literature. Journal of African History .
