ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to clarify what has long been a controversial aspect of West African history, namely the external slave trade, by making use of research which has been completed in recent years. It analyses West Africa’s external trade in terms of the model outlined in order to identify the linkages which were established, and explains why their beneficial effects were so limited. Trans-Saharan trade between West and North Africa began as early as 1000 b.c., when the desert crossing was made by oxen and by chariots or carts drawn by horses. Liverpool slave traders came from all sections of society and had many other interests besides African commerce. The case of Nantes presents some interesting comparisons and contrasts with that of Liverpool. Nantes began slave trading in the 1690s and expanded her activities by acquiring concessions from the monopoly companies.
