Chapter 20: Africa and the Africans in the Age of the Atlantic Slave Trade

Question 1

The European slave trade out of Africa vastly expanded when

a) Europeans began to supply Muslim slave markets in the Middle East.
b) Spain and Portugal launched their crusades against Muslim states in Africa.
c) gold was discovered in Iberia, necessitating greater numbers of laborers.
d) sugar plantations were established on the Atlantic islands and in the Americas.

Answer 1

d) sugar plantations were established on the Atlantic islands and in the Americas.

Question 2

The large numbers and high volume of Africans in the slave trade was necessary because

a) most Africans escaped from slavery before arriving in the Americas.
b) African slaves were also needed on estates in Europe After the Black Death.
c) Muslim fleets patrolled the Atlantic coast of Africa and freed the slaves.
d) the mortality of slaves was high and their birth rate was low.

Answer 2

d) the mortality of slaves was high and their birth rate was low.

Question 3

The largest number of enslaved Africans were sent to work in which of the following industries in the 1450-1750 era?

a) tobacco
b) gold mining
c) cotton
d) sugar

Answer 3

d) sugar

Question 4

One of the distinguishing features of slavery in Africa was

a) the enslavement of women and children for domestic labor.
b) the high rate of emancipation for the children of slave parents.
c) its control by chartered companies like the Royal African Company.
d) its creation and development by Muslim rulers of African kingdoms.

Answer 4

a) the enslavement of women and children for domestic labor.

Question 5

What factor allowed Europeans to join in and profit from the commerce in slaves so quickly in the 16th century?

a) Portuguese bases in the Indian Ocean
b) the establishment of the colony at the Cape of Good Hope by the Dutch East Indies Company
c) the fact that most Africans were Christian
d) the well-established patterns of slavery in Africa prior to the arrival of European traders

Answer 5

d) the well-established patterns of slavery in Africa prior to the arrival of European traders

Question 6

With regard to the slave trade and slavery in Africa, contacts with the Europeans

a) increased violence and the disruption within African societies.
b) benefited most African states, which received high quality goods in exchange for slaves.
c) decreased warfare between African states as Africans united against European slavers.
d) led to open warfare between Europeans and Arabs for the control of the slave trade.

Answer 6

a) increased violence and the disruption within African societies.