The Slave Trade in Africa: Historical Dimensions, Geographical Discoveries, and International Abolition Efforts

Abstract

This study investigates the historical phenomenon of the slave trade in Africa, analyzing its multifaceted dimensions from antiquity to the modern period. It explores the significant impact of geographical discoveries in reorienting trade routes toward the Atlantic, which catalyzed the systematic forced migration of African populations to the Americas under European colonial powers. The research further examines the underlying economic and political catalysts of this trade, alongside the evolution of international legal instruments and treaties aimed at the abolition of slavery. Utilizing a historical and descriptive-analytical approach, the paper seeks to rectify historical narratives surrounding Arab and European participation while addressing the profound socio-economic consequences for the African continent.