Now there is a very good point...

Slavery was common practice in Africa BEFORE the Europeans exploited it. The African "middlemen" were, however, already there and saw an opportunity. So, no "Africans" aren't to blame, but SOME Africans certainly stimulated and assisted the practice for pure personal gain.

No, the middlemen I am referring to in Ireland leased land from the landlords (many of whom were British). However, the middlemen were the ones who decided that they would make most money by continually chopping up the land into smaller and smaller parts so they could get more tenants.

They weren't doing it on the orders of the landlords, but out of pure greed.

Posted By: Steve in Holland, Nov 17, 12:38:16