Table of contentsIntroductionAfrican kings and merchants sold to their fellow AfricansThe power dynamics at AnnamaboeConclusionIntroductionThe remarkable transatlantic slave trade took place from the late 15th century to the middle of the 19th century. In total, millions of Africans were sent to America and became slaves. Because most commodities in Africa were essential to the growth of industrialization in Europe, such as gold, ivory, rice, cam wood, and guinea wood, Europeans used Annamaboe as major slave trading port (Rice, 2017). Annamaboe was once a sleepy fishing village until Europeans arrived and transformed this peaceful place into a slave trading hub. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayAt first, Europeans considered imposing the slave trade on African leaders, but they realized they had to resort to diplomacy. While African slaves were forcibly shipped to America, Europeans did not have to use force against African rulers because they paid them considerable sums to use their fellow Africans as slaves. This event sparked the start of the transatlantic slave trade and the destruction of the once quiet and peaceful village of Annamaboe. African kings and merchants sold out their fellow Africans. Europeans were seen by many as selfish and cruel because of what they did to African slaves. Many slaves died of starvation and exhaustion as Europeans profited from their lives thanks to the growth of industrialization in Europe. Their actions were apparently unforgivable, especially for Africans who had been enslaved for a long period of time. However, people should also look at the other side of the coin. By looking back at the entire history of the transatlantic slave trade and having a complete analysis of what really happened centuries ago, we would realize that Europeans were not the only perpetrators of the trade slave trader. African leaders and traders were also responsible for the death and suffering of millions of Africans whom they sold to Europeans. In fact, the Portuguese sent African princes to Portugal to study. Furthermore, African kings and merchants viewed poor Africans not as fellow Africans but as debtors, criminals, or prisoners. They looked down on them because of their social status and did not care whether they became slaves or died working. For African kings and merchants, the important things were money, power, and security from neighboring enemies (Hazard, 2014). By selling these people as slaves to the Europeans, they would make a lot of money while retaining their power and influence. Thanks to the slave trade, African kingdoms even prospered while their fellow Africans suffered from the intense cruelty and greed of Europeans. As they worked hard night and day, African royalty and merchants profited from their wealth and power. Even though the Africans sent to America were mostly debtors, criminals and prisoners; it was still unfair to simply sell them and make them slaves. They were kidnapped and forced to work for the benefit of Europeans but also traditional African rulers. Some even died before reaching their destination due to the long and tiring journey..