Richard Gray (2) (1929–2005)

The rise and the expansion of the Atlantic slave trade is one of the most prominent developments during the period under consideration. While the Mediterranean coast remains prominent, the Atlantic coast is beginning to gain in prominence as the area began to supply much of the slaves that would be relocated to the New World. The level of interaction during this period of Europeans and the African inhabitants did not extend far beyond the coast or navigable inland rivers. The small areas settled by Europeans were less like the later colonial presence, but had far more control by the native African authorities. Interaction with European traders have allow a greater degree of knowledge and documentation of the African people then in previous periods. What is striking is the richness of the area and the high level of economic development that is able to hold in check the European settlers as well as maintain a mutually beneficial economic relationship, even if the exchange would later prove to be ultimately self-destructive.… (more)