Sheppard: Colonialism and the Slave Trade

A World of Difference: Encountering and Contesting Development

Overview

  • Subtitle: Encountering and Contesting Development

  • Authors: Eric Sheppard, Philip W. Porter, David R. Faust, Richa Nagar

  • Publisher: Guilford Press, New York London

Chapter 13: The Historical Geography of Colonialism and the Slave Trade

Understanding Colonialism

  • 500 Years of Colonialism:

    • Essential to understanding today's world of difference.

    • Colonialism remade perceptions, economies, and histories.

    • Colonial era defined as beginning in 1492 with the 'discovery' of the Americas.

  • Impact of Colonialism:

    • Creation of global economy and power structures.

    • Exploitation and reworking of differences were driving forces.

Patterns of Colonialism

  • Waves of Colonialism:

    • First Wave: 15th Century to 1825

      • Dominated by Spanish and Portuguese powers in the Americas.

      • Decline as countries gained independence.

    • Second Wave: 1825 to 1990

      • British and French expansion in Asia and Africa.

      • Rise of industrial capitalism and decline of earlier powers.

  • Historical Geography Plotting:

    • Major colonial powers and their colonies varied over time.

    • Notable powers: Spain, Portugal, Britain, France, Netherlands.

Colonialism's Effects

Movements and Migrations

  • Forced Migrations and Labor:

    • Millions of forced migrations from Africa due to the slave trade.

    • Other migrations contributed to demographic shifts across continents.

  • Diffusion of Plants, Animals, and Diseases:

    • Exchange facilitated by colonial trade routes.

First Phase of Colonialism (1492)

  • Before Colonization:

    • Diverse societies with unique agricultural systems and social hierarchies.

    • European powers (Spain and Portugal) began competing for trade routes.

  • Discovery and Agreements:

    • Columbus misled the Spanish about new routes.

    • Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) divided spheres of influence between Spain and Portugal.

Slave Trade Dynamics

The Slave Trade's Establishment

  • Actors in the Slave Trade:

    • European traders collaborated with African states to acquire enslaved individuals.

    • Imported goods for slaves, mainly arms and other goods essential for trade.

Triangular Trade System**

  • Structure:

    • New World provided sugar and tobacco to Europe.

    • Europe supplied manufactured goods to Africa.

    • Africa transported slaves to the New World.

The Middle Passage**

  • Journey Description:

    • Extremely perilous; slaves were overcrowded and faced harsh conditions.

    • High mortality rates during transport from Africa to New World.

Conclusion and Legacy of Colonialism

Contemporary Impacts

  • Continuing Issues:

    • Clan rivalries and socioeconomic imbalances persist from colonial policies.

    • Dispersed populations of African descent face socio-economic injustices.

  • Cultural Imprints:

    • Colonial boundaries and nations formed without regard for cultural groups.

    • Modern borders often contain diverse ethnic populations, leading to conflict.

Political Structures**

  • Weak States:

    • Many newly independent countries experienced ineffective governance structures.

    • Commercial dependence on former colonial powers persists.

  • Inequalities:

    • Continued economic disparities trace back to colonial economic policies.

    • New elites often maintain exploitative practices developed during colonialism.