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Middle Passage - Viola Burley Leak, 1997

Voices from The Transatlantic Slave

Trade

Essential QuestionsEssential Questions::1.1. Why is it important Why is it important

to study the history to study the history of slavery?of slavery?

2.2. Why have humans Why have humans throughout history throughout history enslaved one enslaved one another?another?

■■Other captives were shipped north Other captives were shipped north across the deserts of northwest Africa to across the deserts of northwest Africa to the Mediterranean coast (to Morocco).the Mediterranean coast (to Morocco).

■■Africans were purchased there to work Africans were purchased there to work as servants in Spain, Portugal, and other as servants in Spain, Portugal, and other countries.countries.

By the mid-1400’s, Portuguese ship By the mid-1400’s, Portuguese ship captains were trading slaves along the captains were trading slaves along the west coast of Africa for working on sugar west coast of Africa for working on sugar plantations.plantations.

What do you think “Trans-Saharan” refers to?What do you think “Trans-Saharan” refers to?

Between the 10th – 14th century, African Between the 10th – 14th century, African captives were sold in Islamic markets around captives were sold in Islamic markets around the area of present day the area of present day SudanSudan..

Many of these slaves were female, sold for Many of these slaves were female, sold for servants or concubines.servants or concubines.

Trans-Saharan Trans-Saharan Slave TradeSlave Trade

Transatlantic Slave TradeTransatlantic Slave Trade

Spanish adventurers arrived in the Spanish adventurers arrived in the following years, enslaving Native following years, enslaving Native Americans to search for gold and silver.Americans to search for gold and silver.

In 1492, Columbus landed in the “New World,” In 1492, Columbus landed in the “New World,” linking Europe & The Americaslinking Europe & The Americas

Around 1520, the first African slaves arrived in the Around 1520, the first African slaves arrived in the Americas off of Portuguese ships.Americas off of Portuguese ships.

The Natives were weakened by The Natives were weakened by disease, malnutrition, & Spanish cruelty disease, malnutrition, & Spanish cruelty so the Spanish decided to use Africans.so the Spanish decided to use Africans.

Now that we understand what the “Trans-Saharan” slave trade was, what do you think “Transatlantic” refers to?

“Triangle Trade Route”

Based on this map, what do you think the Triangle Trade Route was?

How do you think each continent was affected by this trade?

What impact did slavery have on colonial economics?

The Middle Passage Middle PassageMiddle Passage = ship crossing for African slaves to the New World = ship crossing for African slaves to the New World What do you think life would have been like on a slave ship?What do you think life would have been like on a slave ship?

Several hundred slaves were packed below deck on stacked wooden platforms.

These platforms were covered with excrement, blood, and filth and caused many infections and diseases.

Slaves were confined by leg irons while on the ship and were often tortured with whip beatings.

Many slaves committed suicide by jumping overboard or refusing to eat.

As the journey typically took several months…15-20% of the slaves died on the ship

Estimates claim 2-4 million slaves died on the Middle Passage

Those surviving The Middle Passage were Those surviving The Middle Passage were auctioned off…auctioned off…

In the 18In the 18thth century, the “ideal” slave (male, century, the “ideal” slave (male, strong, young, & healthy) was worth how strong, young, & healthy) was worth how much in today’s money?much in today’s money?$11,630-$23,200$11,630-$23,200

40% of slaves before the American 40% of slaves before the American Revolution passed through South Carolina Revolution passed through South Carolina and were often put to work in its rice and were often put to work in its rice fields…fields…

Slavery in the Southern ColoniesSlavery in the Southern Colonies

Slavery in the Southern ColoniesSlavery in the Southern Colonies

There was no harder or more unhealthy There was no harder or more unhealthy work than the rice fields…work than the rice fields…

““Ankle deep or mid-leg in water which floats an oozy mud, Ankle deep or mid-leg in water which floats an oozy mud, and exposed to a burning sun which makes the air hotter and exposed to a burning sun which makes the air hotter than human blood; those poor wretches are in a furnace than human blood; those poor wretches are in a furnace of stinking putrid vapor”of stinking putrid vapor”

2 out of 3 African-American children on 2 out of 3 African-American children on rice plantations failed to reach their 16rice plantations failed to reach their 16thth birthday (malaria, harsh working birthday (malaria, harsh working conditions)conditions)

Copper SunCopper Sun About a 15 year old African girl, About a 15 year old African girl, AmariAmari, and her , and her

experiences with the slave tradeexperiences with the slave trade Historical FictionHistorical Fiction: Work of fiction, but events of the : Work of fiction, but events of the

story are based on factstory are based on fact Author spent 10 years researching its contentAuthor spent 10 years researching its content

Written by Written by Sharon DraperSharon Draper, 2006, 2006 Grand-daughter of a slaveGrand-daughter of a slave

SettingSetting: 1738 (slave trade in full swing); African : 1738 (slave trade in full swing); African village, then South Carolinavillage, then South Carolina

What kinds of things do you think Amari will experience that you learned about today?