Synopses & Reviews
Essays on the capture of slaves and the Middle Passage, the identities of the enslaved and their lives after capture, the economics of the slave trade, the struggle to end slavery, and the slave trade's legacy, as well as biographies of important figures, primary documents, and an annotated bibliography make this the perfect source for student research on this critically important historical topic.
In 1502, the first African slaves were taken to Hispaniola. In 1888, Brazil became the last western-hemisphere country to outlaw slavery. Yet for the nearly 400 years in between, slavery played a major role in linking the histories of Africa, North and South America, and Europe. The Atlantic Slave Trade begins with an overview of African slavery in the new world, then delves deeply into the phenomenon itself with essays on five separate issues:
• The capture of slaves and the Middle Passage
• Identities of the enslaved and their lives after capture
• The economics of the slave trade
• The struggle to end slavery
• The slave trade's legacy
Following this extensive analytical section are biographies of important persons—both black and white—in the history of the slave trade. Thirteen primary documents show students the actual words of the participants. An annotated bibliography and a timeline complete the book, making it the perfect source for student research on this heartrending and critically important historical topic.
Review
[A] resource for student research at a secondary school or introductory college level....Public, high school, and lower-level undergraduate libraries.Choice
Review
[P]ostma should be commended for infusing such a concise account of history with a high level of academic sophistication. Students who read this book will not only gain a general understanding of the slave trade, but also a sense of how scholars conduct historical research, analysis, and debate on the topic.....[P]ostma's work succeeds admirably.Iti: European Journal of Overseas Studies
Review
This compelling account of the history of the slave trade between Africa and the New World from the 1400s to 1888 cites primary sources throughout.Curriculum Connections
Review
The Atlantic Slave Trade gives students a thorough account and an extensive resource of information on an important topic.Multicultural Review
Review
Postma draws on primary sources and current historical scholarship to offer secondary readers and researchers a comprehensive and well-written history....deserves a place in all collections.School Library Journal
Review
[O]f special value to students....Postma offers welcome suggestions and cautions about films currently available on the slave trade. The discussion of electronic resources contains excellent advice about the use of the internet and websites. A concluding section draws the attention of instructors and students to an outstanding research tool....As an aid to historical understanding, The Atlantic Slave Trade fulfills the pedagogical aims of the series in which it appears.The Historian
Synopsis
Essays on the capture of slaves and the Middle Passage, the identities of the enslaved and their lives after capture, the economics of the slave trade, the struggle to end slavery, and the slave trade's legacy, as well as biographies of important figures, primary documents, and an annotated bibliography make this the perfect source for student research on this critically important historical topic.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. [155]-165) and index.
Synopsis
This book serves as an all-in-one guide to one of the largest forced migrations in human history.
About the Author
JOHANNES POSTMA is Professor of History at Minnesota State University and the author of The Dutch in the Atlantic Slave Trade, 1600-1815, among other works.
Table of Contents
List of Maps, Tables, and Illustrations
Series Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chronology of Events
The Atlantic Slave Trade Explained
Biographical Sketched of Significant Persons in the Slave Trade
Primary Documents of the Atlantic Slave Trade
Glossary of Relevant Terms
Annotated Bibliography
Index