I was wrong. Both are equally responsible. If someone offered to sale a baby to me, i would decline
The Role of Africans and African-Europeans
Capturing the Enslaved:
The initial capture of people in Africa was largely carried out by Africans and African-European traders who held complex trading alliances and networks.
The "Hinge" of the Slave Trade:
These traders operated as the essential first step, providing the enslaved people to the European traders who then transported them across the Atlantic.
European Involvement
Purchasing Captives:
European traders bought most enslaved people from African and African-European dealers rather than capturing them directly.
Direct Captures:
Some European traders did participate in direct raids along the coast to capture people, but this was not the primary method.