Traditions & Encounters: A Brief Global History

From the documents, it is clear that slave trade became a reality as a result of the
commodification of slaves. Slaves were treated as objects, and this enabled their masters to own
them (CrashCourse, 2012). In addition, merchants would sell off slaves like goods. In the first
document, masters are warned of a slave who had escaped (Bentley, Ziegler & Salter, 2013). A
description of the said slave is attached. A price tag is given for any master who may spot the
said slave. In putting a price tag on a slave, the slave traders effectively dehumanize the slave
and instead treat the slave like a commodity. They fail to accord the slave human dignity and
respect, and this attitude is the foundation of the slave trade. The fact that Bilha has escaped tells
a tale of the experience of slaves. They were unhappy with their situations and would do
anything to escape from the shackles of slavery.
In the second document, a report is made about the arrival of slaves. The document also
outlines that the necessary steps have been taken to cleanse the cargo. The choice of the word
‘cargo’ insinuates that the slave masters treated slaves like merchandise. They are then put up for
sale, and this further attests to the fact that slaves during the era of slavery were dehumanized
and accorded inhumane treatment (Bentley, Ziegler & Salter, 2013). Slave masters are given the
power to select their preferred slaves and, in so doing, pay the right price. The interests of the
masters overrode those of the slaves. Precautions would be taken to ensure that slaves did not
infect their masters. The slaves must, however have experienced inhumane treatment in the ship
and needed to be cleansed when they arrived before being sold out.

References

CrashCourse. (2012). The Atlantic Slave Trade: Crash Course World History #24.
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnV_MTFEGIY

Bentley, J., Ziegler, H., & Salter, H. S. (2013). Traditions & Encounters: A Brief Global History.
McGraw-Hill Higher Education.