Ep 2. Rationalization

In Enslaved season 1 episode 2, titled "Rationalization," the focus shifts to the transatlantic slave trade and the various ways in which it was justified and rationalized by those who participated in it. Through conversations with historians, activists, and scholars, viewers gain a deeper understanding of how the slave trade was not solely driven by economic necessity, but was also rooted in racist ideologies and a desire for power.

The episode begins by examining the role of religion in the slave trade, with particular focus on the Catholic Church's involvement in the enslavement and exploitation of Africans. Historians explain how the Church's doctrine of "just war" was used to justify the enslavement of non-Christians, and how this mentality was adopted by European colonizers as a way to legitimize their actions in Africa and the New World.

Next, the episode delves into the economic underpinnings of the slave trade, showing how European countries became increasingly dependent on the labor of enslaved Africans to build their empires. Viewers learn about the various goods that were produced by enslaved people, from sugar to cotton to tobacco, and how demand for these products drove the growth of the slave trade over centuries.

One of the most fascinating sections of the episode examines the psychological mechanisms that allowed those involved in the slave trade to rationalize their actions. Through interviews with psychologists and scholars, viewers gain insight into the ways in which people are able to justify moral wrongs to themselves and others. The episode explores concepts like cognitive dissonance, moral disengagement, and groupthink, and shows how they played out in the context of the slave trade.

The final section of the episode focuses on the abolitionist movement and the resistance of enslaved people themselves. Viewers learn about the many activists who fought tirelessly to end the slave trade, from Frederick Douglass to Harriet Tubman to Olaudah Equiano. The episode also highlights the various slave revolts that took place throughout history, from the Haitian Revolution to the Stono Rebellion. Through these stories, viewers gain a sense of the immense courage and determination of those who resisted slavery, despite overwhelming odds.

Overall, "Rationalization" is a powerful and thought-provoking episode that explores the many complex factors that contributed to the transatlantic slave trade. From religion to economics to psychology, the episode shows how the slave trade was not a simple or straightforward phenomenon, but rather a deeply layered and multifaceted system of oppression. By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, the episode creates a compelling and nuanced portrait of one of the darkest periods in human history.