1. Roots of Slavery

2. History of Slavery A.Slavery was part of many African societies. Deeply rooted in many cultures. (Kingdom of Calabar and Dohomey (West Africa) B.3 ways to become a slave in Africa: 1. Judicial Enslavement: sentenced to slavery by court. Due to crime like adultery, impiety, stealing 2. Self Enslavement: indentured servitude. Also “debtors prison. 3. Capture in warfare. (Wars were sometimes fought to gain slaves & sell) C. African form of Slavery: Slaves retain certain rights and liberties within their communities. Masters and slaves often worked together on same farms. - many slaves were soldiers or assistants to the nobility.

3. Three Eras of European Slave Trade Hegemony I.The Portuguese (1470’s)- the 1 st of the European slave traders. They provide guns, horses, copper, brass and textiles in exchange for slaves. (Spaniards will follow closely here) II.Dutch (1620’s-1670’s) III.English (1670-1808) European slavery differs from that practiced in Africa. European enslavement meant: 1.Perpetual slavery 2.Slavery as an inherited condition 3.Racial slavery 4.Ideology of race 5.Plantation economy

4. Causes of Slavery in British North America A.“Indians could not be relied upon as a dependable supply for a work force - disease - revolt - escape to surrounding areas and live off the land. B. Indentured servitude. Indentured servants stopped coming by the late 1600’s. - The North American colonies were facing labor competition from other British colonies, also the Navy and Army. Also, London was rapidly industrializing! C. Africans were a more reliable choice. - They were not in familiar surroundings - Did not speak or understand the language being spoken. - They were physically depleted and demoralized due to the awful conditions of Middle Passage. D. North America was part of the “triangular trade. - slavery was extremely profitable.

7. Conditions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UksolvR8NW8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UksolvR8NW8 A.Slaves were branded and kept in chains. Usually to each other B.Middle Passage journey could take 3-8 weeks! C.14-25% of slaves died on the Middle Passage 1. Two views on slave trading: a. less slaves = better conditions and better price, b. ship as many as possible, maximum load. “Feed and fatten up” on reaching Caribbean, then ship to N. America. * more slaves successfully made it across the Atlantic than European immigrants who were coming of their own choosing! ** European captains got paid before they left, therefore ensuring their profit even if their “cargo” perished en route. - many slaves jumped overboard if given an opportunity - force feedings were common. - space to lie down was 6 feet by 16 inches. Lay on their sides. - Women kept on the decks. Subject to abuse by the sailors.

8. American Slavery (Discussion of the following ) Religion: see a combining of African beliefs with Christian beliefs. Many called this “slave religion” Sexuality: marriage not allowed. Easy to trade Segregation Scientific theories Rebellions and Repression Laws Naming patterns (often Anglicized or Christianized) Violence (legal and extra legal)

9. 17 th Century- Society with Slaves 1.By 1630, white men were whipped for “defiling” themselves with a Negro. 2.Running away with a Negro was a crime. 3.Inter-marriage with any non-white was outlawed.

10. 18 th Century The Colonies are a slave society By 1800: 10-15 million Africans were forcibly removed from Africa and brought to the Americas. Perhaps… 1 in every 20 British pounds during this period was a result of this traffic!