AP European History: The African Slave Trade

The video uses a metaphor to introduce the African slave trade in the context of European empire building. It explains the economic causes, focusing on the plantation economy and mercantilism. The shift from indigenous labor to African slavery is discussed, highlighting the brutal conditions of the Middle Passage. The video concludes with a call to explore further resources.

What is the main topic of the video?

• The history of hemorrhoids

• The rise of European empires

• The African slave trade

• The development of European agriculture

What was a primary cause for the rise of the African slave trade?

• The establishment of a plantation economy

• The discovery of new spices

• The need for more European settlers

• The decline of European empires

What economic system encouraged European exploration and empire building?

• Mercantilism

• Socialism

• Capitalism

• Feudalism

Why did Europeans initially use indigenous populations for labor?

• They volunteered for the work

• They were cheaper than African slaves

• They were familiar with the land

• They were immune to European diseases

What was a major reason for the shift to African slavery?

• Africans were more skilled in agriculture

• Indigenous populations were declining

• Europeans wanted to explore Africa

• Africans were willing to work for free

What was the Middle Passage?

• A trade route between Europe and Asia

• The journey of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic

• A river in Africa

• A path through the European mountains

Why were slave ships packed tightly with people?

• To allow for more food storage

• To ensure comfort during the journey

• To maximize profits for the traders

• To prevent disease spread

What was a consequence of the tight packing on slave ships?

• Faster travel times

• Rampant disease spread

• Higher survival rates

• Increased comfort for the enslaved

What awaited Africans who survived the Middle Passage?

• Freedom in the New World

• A life of brutal plantation slavery

• Return to Africa

• Employment in European cities

What happened to the demand for enslaved Africans as the plantation economy grew?

• It became illegal

• It spiked

• It remained the same

• It decreased