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The Independence movement in Latin America, which had been simmering since the United States broke away from Great Britain in 1776, came to a boil around 1810. Spain’s Empire in the New World crumbled, and by 1825 all that remained were a few islands in the Caribbean. This passionate, violent era in the history of Latin America is particularly fascinating.

I chose to research the topic of slavery because it is something that is near and dear to my heart. I feel as if we are not taught enough about it in school, however, it is a great part of our American history. Many people’s lives changed during the slavery days, and I believe people need to be informed.

The slave trade in Africa existed for thousands of years. The first main route passed through the Sahara, tying in to the Arab slave trade. After the European Age of Exploration, African slaves became part of the Atlantic slave trade, from which comes the modern, Western conception of slavery as an institution of African-descended slaves and non-African slave owners. Despite its illegality, slavery continues in some parts of the world, including Africa.
There is adequate evidence citing case after case of African control of segments of the trade. Several African nations such as the Ashanti of Ghana and the Yoruba of Nigeria had economies largely depending on the trade. African peoples such as the Imbangala of Angola and the Nyamwezi of Tanzania would serve as intermediaries or roving bands warring with other African nations to capture.
Slavery, as it is often referred to by people, in African cultures was generally more like indentured servitude: "slaves" were not made to be chattel of other men, nor enslaved for life. African "slaves" were paid wages and were able to accumulate property. They often bought their own freedom and could then achieve social promotion
http://en.wikipedia.org/(some what credible site, sometime info is not accurate)