African-American Studies

Slavery in West African societies is mainly of economic importance. In the Niger Valley, for example, many slave communities produced agricultural surpluses for the rulers and nobles of Songhay, Gao, and other states. Other slaves are bought to mine gold, aid in the production of salt and as caravan workers (Guisepi ca. 2010). Slaves also functioned as investment and currency (Clark 1999, p. 93). White slaves, usually Circassian or Georgian girls, are bought to be concubines in large Muslim harems (Perbi 2001, p. 3).

Military Roles African-Americans Played During the American Revolution
Americans fought against British invasion without giving up their slaves. This encouraged the African-Americans to fight with the British who promised them freedom for their military services. Pressed against dwindling military personnel due to skirmish defeats, the Americans finally offered the African-American slaves freedom if they joined the military. Fighting on both sides clearly shows that African-Americans in the revolution did not care which political power wins but fought for freedom itself (Colorado College n.d.).