'Suppression of the African Slave Trade to the United States of America, Volume 1' Summary

This book, the first volume of a planned two-part work, provides a comprehensive study of the suppression of the African slave trade to the United States of America. Du Bois delves into the history of the trade, analyzing its origins in the 16th and 17th centuries and its growth in the 18th century. He explores the economic, political, and social factors that contributed to the rise of the transatlantic slave trade, examining the roles played by European nations, American colonists, and enslaved Africans. He then moves on to the movement to abolish the trade, exploring the motives and methods employed by abolitionists in both Europe and America. Throughout the book, Du Bois emphasizes the interconnectedness of the slave trade with the larger history of colonialism and the development of the United States. He argues that the slave trade was not merely a matter of economics but also a deeply rooted system of racial oppression that shaped the very fabric of American society. Du Bois concludes by examining the lasting impact of the slave trade on both the United States and Africa, highlighting the enduring legacy of this brutal and exploitative system.