How did the East African Slave Trade differ from the Atlantic one?

The East African Slave Trade differed from the Atlantic one primarily in terms of duration, scale, and cultural impact.

The East African Slave Trade, also known as the Arab Slave Trade, began in the 7th century, much earlier than the Atlantic Slave Trade, which started in the 15th century. It lasted for a longer period, continuing well into the 20th century, whereas the Atlantic Slave Trade ended in the 19th century. This difference in duration had significant implications for the scale and impact of the two trades.

In terms of scale, the Atlantic Slave Trade was larger, with an estimated 12-15 million Africans forcibly transported across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. The East African Slave Trade, on the other hand, involved the forced migration of an estimated 4-6 million Africans to the Middle East and North Africa. However, the numbers for the East African Slave Trade are less certain due to the lack of comprehensive records.

The cultural impact of the two trades also varied. The Atlantic Slave Trade resulted in the African diaspora in the Americas, with African culture influencing the development of new cultures, particularly in the Caribbean and Brazil. The East African Slave Trade, however, saw Africans assimilated into Arab culture, with many adopting the Arabic language and Islam. This resulted in a significant Arab influence in East Africa, which is still evident today.

The nature of slavery also differed between the two trades. In the Atlantic Slave Trade, slaves were primarily used for plantation work in the Americas, with a focus on crops like sugar, tobacco, and cotton. In contrast, the East African Slave Trade saw slaves used in a wider variety of roles, including domestic servitude, military service, and administrative roles.

Finally, the treatment of slaves also varied. In the Atlantic Slave Trade, the brutal conditions on the Middle Passage and on plantations led to high mortality rates. In the East African Slave Trade, while conditions were also harsh, there was a higher incidence of assimilation and intermarriage, leading to a different social dynamic.

In conclusion, while both the East African and Atlantic Slave Trades were horrific instances of human exploitation, they differed significantly in terms of their duration, scale, cultural impact, nature of slavery, and treatment of slaves.