Advantages and Disadvantages of Becoming Ocean Bound
The discovery of the oceanic world in 1492 created a new world, with the consequences shaping the history of every continent (Bender Ch.1). Notably, the redefinition of the ocean space permitted movement across oceans and facilitated entirely new global trade and communication networks. Hence, one of the advantages of becoming ocean-bound was that it enabled the European discovery of new lands. For instance, in “Journal of the First Voyage of Vasco da Gama,” the oceanic venture helped the Portuguese encounter with the city of Mombasa (286). The Portuguese also discovered Mozambique through the sailing of Vasco da Gama. Consequently, Europe and Africa established commercial links, with the Europeans obtaining commodities like cloves, pepper, corn, and fruit like oranges and lemons. Christopher Columbus’ letter also indicates the discovery of islands occupied by people, which he possessed on behalf of Spain (291). Hence, becoming ocean-bound supported the European expansion of the empire in Africa and the Americas.
However, oceanic discovery supported the foundation of the slave trade between Africa and Europe. For example, Equiano narrates the adversity African children faced when they were captured and delivered to be sold off as slaves (79). Additionally, Boman, in “Slave Trader,” emphasizes the king’s engagement in the slave trade (75). The consequence of commerce was violence between the Africans and Europeans, as the slaves sought to free themselves. Diaz’s account of the Spanish conquest of Mexico and much of the Americas illustrates the inhumane treatment the Africans in slavery faced, including being tied to long poles and restrained by a collar around their necks (274). The resource “An Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico” also indicates that becoming ocean-bound spread violence, including the Europeans killing the rulers of the new lands, such as in Tlatelolco in Mexico (277). Some of the deaths also were a result of slaves jumping into the sea to avoid being delivered to slavery.