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Add your subjects to find the right study guides, track progress and keep everything in one place. Add my subjectsRemind me later Higher Implications of the slave trade for African societiesRoles played by leaders of African societies The Atlantic slave trade had a negative impact on African societies and the long-term impoverishment of West Africa. For some it intensified effects already present among its rulers and kingdoms. Part of HistoryTrade in enslaved African people Save to My BitesizeSave to My BitesizeSavingSavedRemovingRemove from My Bitesize close panel In this guide Revise Test Pages The slave trade's effect on African societies Effects of trade on societies in West Africa The slave sellers and European 'factories' Development of slave-based states and economies The destruction of societies The development of foreign colonies Roles played by leaders of African societies Roles played by leaders of African societies in continuing the trade The Asante (Ashanti people) Empire dominated the area known as the Gold Coast (Ghana). They traded in gold as well as enslaved people. They fought many wars to defend and expand their empire. The impact of the Atlantic slave trade was felt across all levels of African societies. But its effects were different for different groups: Kings, elites and warlords Middlemen, traders and merchants Labourers and subsistence farmers Kings and warlords African slave sellers grew wealthy by selling captives to European traders on the coast. They were able to deal on equal terms with European traders. On the African side, the slave trade was generally the business of rulers or wealthy and powerful merchants, concerned with their own selfish or narrow interests. At that time, there was no concept of being African – identity and loyalty were based on kinship or membership of a specific kingdom or society, rather than to the African continent. States based on slavery grew in power and influence. For example the Kingdom of Dahomey became one of the most prosperous nations: total receipts from exports of enslaved peopl were an estimated £250,000 per year by 1750. African rulers largely maintained and dictated the control and supply of captives to the Atlantic slave trade. The impact of the trade was to increase individual fortunes in the short run. But through competition with each others, rulers could have their powers reduced or eliminated as well as strengthened. In the long run, the scale of the Atlantic trade caused instability and collapse in many African states. Middlemen, traders and merchants The kings and warlords needed points of sale, and Europeans needed access to sources of enslaved people. Some African sellers became extremely wealthy from the expansion of the slave trade networks. A group of ‘merchant princes’ developed in response to the European reliance on African intermediaries. These were often the sons of Afro-European parents, and commanded large bands of armed men. The slave trade was incredibly labour-intensive. Thousands found employment as porters, interpreters, guards, soldiers and peddlers. Labourers and subsistence farmers The proportion of African villagers actively involved in the slave trade was small. But in villages where slave raids took place the impact was so large as to be difficult to quantify or overstate. Attention to the effects can be split between those that were taken, and those left behind. The most significant impact of the Atlantic slave trade was on the individuals enslaved. Implications of the Atlantic Slave Trade for Africa Re-allocation of the resources of African economies towards raiding Constrained the economic development of African states Encouraged ethnic and social division Provoked a culture of political violence and disregard for human life Created widespread attitudes of racism and contempt for Africans The effects of the slave trade varied widely from one region of western Africa to another. Some western African societies may have been wholly uninvolved in trade with the Europeans. Somes may only have mainly traded commodities other than enslaved people; and others who did engage in the sale of enslaved people for the Atlantic trade did so only marginally or briefly. But where societies did engage in the slave trade they did so as raiding for people was more attractive and profitable than the capture of land. Next up Test your understanding Previous page The development of foreign colonies More guides on this topic Reasons for the development of the slave trade Slave trade and the British economy Factors governing relations between enslaved people and enslavers Obstacles to abolition of the slave trade Reasons for the success of the abolitionist campaign in 1807 Video playlist Related links BBC History: Africa BBC Ethics: Slavery BBC World Service: Slavery International Slavery Museum About Education: Slave trade Exploring Africa: Slavery Language: EnglishCymraegGaeilgeGàidhlig Home News Sport Earth Reel Worklife Travel Culture Future Music TV Weather Sounds Terms of Use About the BBC Privacy Policy Cookies Accessibility Help Parental Guidance Contact the BBC BBC emails for you Advertise with us Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.