Atlantic Slave Trade Essays - African Slave Trade, Racism

Atlantic Slave Trade Essays - African Slave Trade, Racism Atlantic Slave Trade Atlantic Slave Trade When most people talk about or think about slavery, they look at how it effected the US. The Atlantic Slave Trade had a huge effect on the US but there are no words or expressions that can describe the effects it had on Africa and its familys. It is estimated that between 1450 and 1900, there were 11,698,000 slaves exported from Africa. (Atlantic Slave trade, pg.170) To understand the effects this had on Africa you must consider the families that lost relatives, the stores that lost business, and even the friends that lost friendships. None of the misfortunes can be brought back or replaced. The many lives that were taken can never be brought back to life. This not only effected the African culture when it happened but also it effects todays societies in Africa. The overall net effect of the Atlantic Slave Trade on Africa could never be estimated unless you are inside one of the relatives of a slave. These slaves died for no other apparent reason than the color of their skin. The effects that the slave trade had on Africa were not all negative. Depending on what point of view your looking from, there were also some positives of the Atlantic Slave Trade. In William Bossmans account, he states that as soon as the king arrives he will be satisfied with an amount of one-hundred pounds in Guinea value. (Atlantic Slave Trade, pg.181) So the kings and most of all the slave traders benefited from the slave trade. One benefit from the Slave Trade would definitely be spiritually. The great misfortunes had to strengthen the inner souls of the people and relatives that were left behind. A lot of these people had nothing left but themselves so they had no choice but to deal with it and get stronger mentally and spiritually. One other benefit from the Slave trade would be that the African Culture was spread to totally different continents. All of these slaves were taken to different places and they went on with their business while all these other people that either ow ned these slaves or watched over them got to see life from the Africans side of the fence. They got to see different rituals and habits that they have never gotten to see before. In my opinion the drawbacks of the Slave Trade greatly outweighed the benefits for the African people. The families of these slaves still feel the drawbacks even today. When these people look back at a family tree, all this does is bring back memories of the torture that their relative or relatives endured. The continent itself took a huge hit on its population. Many of these slaves could have played a big role in Africas future. Many could have gone on to be nation leaders or even business owners. In 1502, the first African slaves were reported in the New World. (Amistad.mysticseaport.com) This was the start of a great mistrocity to many families in Africa. The overall effect could never be estimated because we are not in the bodies of those people who lost loved ones. We can not feel the pain that they feel, therefore we cant say what the net effect is or was. Amistad.mysticseaport.com (timeline) Bosman, William, Slave trading at Whydah on the Bight of Benin, ca 1700 Lovejoy, Paul E, The volume of the Atlantic Slave Trade: A consensus, Journal of African History 22 1982 Bibliography (Atlantic Slave trade, pg.170) (Atlantic Slave Trade, pg.181) Amistad.mysticseaport.com (timeline) Bosman, William, Slave trading at Whydah on the Bight of Benin, ca 1700 Lovejoy, Paul E, The volume of the Atlantic Slave Trade: A consensus, Journal of African History 22 1982

Battle of Wilsons Creek - Civil War - Missouri

Battle of Wilsons Creek - Civil War - Missouri Battle of Wilsons Creek - Conflict Date: The Battle of Wilsons Creek was fought August 10, 1861, during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Armies Commanders Union Brigadier General Nathaniel LyonColonel Franz Sigelapprox. 5,400 men Confederate Brigadier General Benjamin McCullochMajor General Sterling Priceapprox. 12,000 men Battle of Wilsons Creek - Background: As the secession crisis gripped the United States in the winter and spring of 1861, Missouri increasingly found itself caught between the two sides. With the attack on Fort Sumter in April, the state attempted to maintain a neutral stance. Despite this, each side began organizing a military presence in the state. That same month, Southern-leaning Governor Claiborne F. Jackson covertly sent a request to Confederate President Jefferson Davis for heavy artillery with which to attack the Union-held St. Louis Arsenal. This was granted and four guns and 500 rifles secretly arrived on May 9. Met at St. Louis by officials of the Missouri Volunteer Militia, these munitions were transported to the militias base at Camp Jackson outside the city. Learning of the artillerys arrival, Captain Nathaniel Lyon moved against Camp Jackson the next day with 6,000 Union soldiers. Compelling the militias surrender, Lyon marched those militiamen who would not take an oath of allegiance through the streets of St. Louis before paroling them. This action inflamed the local population and several days of rioting ensued. On May 11, the Missouri General Assembly formed the Missouri State Guard to defend the state and appointed Mexican-American War veteran Sterling Price as its major general. Though initially against secession, Price turned to the Southern cause after Lyons actions at Camp Jackson. Increasingly concerned that the state would join the Confederacy, Brigadier General William Harney, commander of the US Armys Department of the West, concluded the Price-Harney Truce on May 21. This stated that Federal forces would hold St. Louis while state troops would be responsible for maintaining peace elsewhere in Missouri. Battle of Wilsons Creek - Change of Command: Harneys actions quickly drew the ire of Missouris leading Unionists, including Representative Francis P. Blair, who saw it as a surrender to the Southern cause. Reports soon began reaching the city that Union supporters in countryside were being harassed by pro-Southern forces. Learning of the situation, an angry President Abraham Lincoln directed that Harney be removed and replaced with Lyon who was to be promoted to brigadier general. Following the change of command on May 30, the truce effectively ended. Though Lyon met with Jackson and Price on June 11, the latter two were unwilling to submit to Federal authority. In the wake of the meeting, Jackson and Price withdrew to Jefferson City to concentrate Missouri State Guard forces. Pursued by Lyon, they were compelled to cede the state capital and retreated into the southwestern part of the state. Battle of Wilsons Creek - Fighting Begins: On July 13, Lyons 6,000-man Army of the West encamped near Springfield. Consisting of four brigades, it was comprised of troops from Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa as well as contained contingents of US Regular infantry, cavalry, and artillery. Seventy-five miles to the southwest, Prices State Guard soon grew as it was reinforced by Confederate forces led by Brigadier General Benjamin McCulloch and Brigadier General N. Bart Pearces Arkansas militia. This combined force numbered around 12,000 and overall command fell to McCulloch. Moving north, the Confederates sought to attack Lyons position at Springfield. This plan soon unraveled as the Union army departed the town on August 1. Advancing, Lyon, took the offensive with the goal of surprising the enemy. An initial skirmish at Dug Springs the next day saw Union forces victorious, but Lyon learned that he was badly outnumbered. Battle of Wilsons Creek - The Union Plan: Assessing the situation, Lyon made plans to fall back to Rolla, but first decided to mount a spoiling attack on McCulloch, who was encamped at Wilsons Creek, to delay the Confederate pursuit. In planning the strike, one of Lyons brigade commanders, Colonel Franz Sigel, proposed an audacious pincer movement which called for splitting the already smaller Union force. Agreeing, Lyon directed Sigel to take 1,200 men and swing to the east to strike McCullochs rear while Lyon attacked from the north. Departing Springfield on the night of August 9, he sought to commence the assault at first light. Battle of Wilsons Creek - Early Success: Reaching Wilsons Creek on schedule, Lyons men deployed before dawn. Advancing with the sun, his troops took McCullochs cavalry by surprise and drove them from their camps along a ridge which became known as Bloody Hill. Pushing on, the Union advance was soon checked by Pulaskis Arkansas Battery. Intense fire from these guns gave Prices Missourians time to rally and form lines to the south of the hill. Consolidating his position on Bloody Hill, Lyon attempted to restart the advance but with little success. As fighting intensified, each side mounted attacks but failed to gain ground. Like Lyon, Sigels initial efforts achieved their goal. Scattering Confederate cavalry at Sharps Farm with artillery, his brigade pushed forward to Skeggs Branch before halting at the stream (Map). Battle of Wilsons Creek - The Tide Turns: Having halted, Sigel failed to post skirmishers on his left flank. Recovering from the shock of the Union attack, McCulloch began directing forces against Sigels position. Striking the Union left, he drove the enemy back. Losing four guns, Sigels line soon collapsed and his men began retreating from the field. To the north, a bloody stalemate continued between Lyon and Price. As the fighting raged, Lyon was wounded twice and had his horse killed. Around 9:30 AM, Lyon fell dead when he was shot in the heart while leading a charge forward. With his death and the wounding of Brigadier General Thomas Sweeny, command fell to Major Samuel D. Sturgis. At 11:00 AM, having repulsed a third major enemy assault and with ammunition dwindling, Sturgis ordered Union forces to withdraw towards Springfield. Battle of Wilsons Creek - Aftermath: In the fighting at Wilsons Creek, Union forces suffered 258 killed, 873 wounded, and 186 missing while the Confederates incurred 277 killed, 945 wounded, and around 10 missing. In the wake of the battle, McCulloch elected not to pursue the retreating enemy as he was concerned about the length of his supply lines and the quality of Prices troops. Instead, he withdrew back into Arkansas while Price embarked on a campaign in northern Missouri. The first major battle in the West, Wilsons Creek was likened to Brigadier General Irvin McDowells defeat the previous month at the First Battle of Bull Run. During the fall, Union troops effectively drove Price from Missouri. Pursuing him into northern Arkansas, Union forces won a key victory at the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862 which effectively secured Missouri for the North. Selected Sources Civil War Trust: Battle of Wilsons CreekNPS: Wilsons Creek National Battlefield CWSAC Battle Summaries: Wilsons Creek