Olaudah Equiano's Things Fall Apart

The Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, is the term used to describe the movement of enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas and the Caribbean. Millions of Africans were abducted, sold into slavery, and forced to go to the Americas and the Caribbean to work on plantations as part of this cruel trading system. Olaudah Equiano's memoir offers insight into the profound impact of the Atlantic Slave Trade on African societies and individuals. Equiano's personal narrative sheds light on the psychological trauma endured by enslaved individuals. Moreover, the slave trade caused significant damage to African economies, resulting in the capture of many people and the eventual abandonment of villages. Many European countries, motivated by various movements

Europeans believed that converting indigenous people to Christianity would civilize them and make them more human (Walshaw, Lecture 12, Slide 3). However, doing so frequently required eliminating or marginalizing African culture and traditions and forcing European philosophical systems upon African nations. "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe also depicts how Christianity and European missionaries affected African civilizations. In the novel, the introduction of Christian missionaries causes a clash of civilizations as the new religion challenges traditional Igbo beliefs and practices. This reflects how Christianity has historically affected Africa, where religion has frequently been employed as a tool for colonization and cultural repression. Furthermore, demonstrated along the African West Coast where African people “displaced from their home societies, captives liberated from slave vessels (...) and settled along the coast presented as ready converts for Christian missionaries.” (Falola & Stapleton, 223) The perception of European colonizers and Christian missionaries that freed Africans who had been displaced from their home societies and settled along the coast were in need of salvation highlights the inferiority attributed to African religions and cultures. The actions of the missionaries can be seen as exploitative, taking advantage of

“The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano '' speaks to the measure of mental and physical hurt Africans endured during this time felt by African individuals and societies. The decline in population resulted in the abandonment of villages, which in turn, caused economic failure. Although the end of the slave trade was a significant achievement, it did not entail that Africans' suffering was over. Africans still had to deal with issues such as domestic slavery as seen in East Africa, under the Omani Empire, and the introduction of Christian missionaries. African cultures and societies were greatly impacted by European colonization and Christianization, which was frequently exploitative. Christian missionaries, as exemplified in “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe caused turmoil in communities leading to the end of long lasting traditions, cultures, and religions. As a result, Africa and the rest of the world are still being shaped by the legacy of the Atlantic Slave Trade. Recognising this history and working to advance social justice and equity for all is