which of the following best explains why europeans began to forcefully enslave africans rather than indegenous people
There are several reasons why Europeans began to forcefully enslave Africans rather than indigenous people. Some of the main factors include:
1. Economic factors: Europeans saw Africans as a valuable labor force due to their agricultural knowledge and experience. African slaves were used mainly in the production of high-demand crops like sugar, cotton, and tobacco in the New World. Indigenous populations, on the other hand, often had different cultural practices or resources that Europeans found less exploitable.
2. Resistance and escape: Indigenous populations often knew their native lands well and were sometimes able to escape from European colonizers. They had prior knowledge of the land, could easily blend in, and had access to local support networks. Europeans, seeing the potential challenges and costs of colonization, turned to Africans who were unfamiliar with the terrain and less likely to escape.
3. Diseases and immunity: Europeans unintentionally brought diseases like smallpox, influenza, and measles to the Americas, leading to devastating epidemics among indigenous populations who had no immunity to these diseases. Africans, on the other hand, had been exposed to many of these diseases and had developed some level of immunity due to their long history of contact with European traders.
4. Political and cultural factors: Europeans perceived indigenous populations differently from Africans due to prejudices rooted in ideas of civilization and cultural superiority. Africans were seen as "primitive" and suitable for enslavement, while indigenous peoples were often viewed as more advanced and deserving of certain rights. This perception influenced the Europeans' choice to enslave Africans over indigenous populations.
It should be noted that the reasons for African slavery were complex and multifaceted, varying across different regions and time periods, and these factors were not universally applicable in all cases.