Pespectives on the Atlantic Slave Trade(s)

This week we have two works from authors who provide different perspectives on the expanding Atlantic economy. In doing so they both accomplish what a good micro-history should do in demonstrating the impact of local conditions in shaping the broader context, and conversely how the broader context influences local conditions.

Robert Harms' work The Diligent, uses the journal of slave ship officer Robert Durand to provide a window into the mind's of people who participated in the slave trade. This communicates well with other themes from the period. In France the merchants and bourgeoisie were persistent in efforts to change the nature of the trade from a mercantilist model to a more capitalist one, which in turn provided people like Durant with the kinds of opportunities that would aid in his, "struggle to rise above his family's station." (95) These things are told in a narrative style that emphasizes the event but also the people who participate in them. Once the focus turns to West Africa this style is used to great effect in detailing all the conflicts and disparaging interests that surrounds the slave trade at the European forts which dot the costline. Given the multitude of players involved it is easy to see why the author chooses to put the focus on plurality of motives necessary for the slave trade. In doing so he also asserts the relatively weak position of the Europeans, "who were well aware that their continuing presence in Whydah depended on the good will of the king." (158) Even on their ship the slavers often appear as helpless in the face of circumstances as their captives.

In The Two Princes of Calabar, Randy Sparks examines the story of two 'creolized' West African slave traders who are enslaved in an ambush called the Massacre of 1767, sold into slavery in Virginia, then escape to Britain where they are eventually freed and then return to Calabar where they resume their slave trading activities. Sparks wants show how their story is, "an important reminder that not all native Afticans sold as slaves on the Americas fit the stereotype of the 'outlandish' African, who knew nothing about European language and culture." (7) The two Robin Johns constantly use their knowledge of Europeans to try and secure their freedom. This presents a conflict of sorts because while they are depicted as having agency they are in fact at the mercy of European captors for most of the story. This leads me to question some of the attitudes presented in the narrative as euphemisms.         

Overall these two works capture the complexity of the slave trade with a balancing of perspective that was surely difficult. Does the narrative style of micro-history provide the best approach for understanding local perspectives?