What was typical of the slave-selling process in the West Indies?

Answer 1

The slave-selling process in the West Indies typically involved auctions held in markets or plantations, where enslaved individuals were displayed to potential buyers. Enslaved people were often stripped of their identities, with their physical attributes and skills highlighted to maximize their sale price. The process was dehumanizing, reducing individuals to mere commodities, and involved extensive documentation, including bills of sale and health records. This system was driven by the demand for labor in the sugar and tobacco industries, which relied heavily on enslaved labor for profitability.