How plausible is the assertion that "slavely and slave trade were natural features of west Africa societies?

The assertion that slavery and the slave trade were natural features of West African societies is not entirely accurate. While it is true that slavery existed in various forms in many societies throughout history, it is important to recognize that the transatlantic slave trade and the large-scale enslavement of Africans for profit were not inherent or natural features of West African societies.

Slavery in pre-colonial West Africa was often a result of warfare, debt, or criminal punishment, and slaves were typically integrated into the social and economic structures of their communities. The transatlantic slave trade, on the other hand, was driven by European demand for labor in the Americas and was characterized by the brutal and dehumanizing treatment of enslaved Africans.

It is also important to note that the transatlantic slave trade had a devastating impact on West African societies, leading to widespread violence, disruption of traditional social structures, and economic exploitation. The idea that slavery was a natural feature of West African societies can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and downplay the historical and ongoing consequences of the slave trade.