1. The Atlantic Slave Trade
Chapter 16.4

2. Main Idea
Between the 1500’s and the 1800’s millions of Africans were captured, shipped across the Atlantic Ocean, and sold as slaves in the Americas.

3. Origins of the Slave Trade
The Atlantic Slave Trade
Causes
A shortage of labor in the Americas
Disease had killed millions of Native Americans
Indentured Servants were expensive

4. Origins of the Slave Trade
The Atlantic Slave Trade
Millions of Africans taken to the Americas
Most came from West Africa
Some slaves supplied by African rulers
Others were kidnapped by European traders

5. Origins of the Slave Trade
The Atlantic Slave Trade
Triangular Trade
Middle Passage
2nd leg of Triangular Trade route
Brought Africans to the Americas to be sold as slaves.

6. Origins of the Slave Trade
The Middle Passage
Captive Africans chained in the dark
Cramped quarters
Could not sit or stand
Lasted 3 to 6 weeks
10-20% died

7. Slavery in the Colonies
Slave Traders
Spanish traders took slave to Caribbean sugar plantations
Portuguese traders brought millions to Brazil.
English took captives to West Indies and colonies in North America.
Dominated the slave trade by the end of the 1600’s
Daily "dancing" was enforced on many slave ships as a form of exercise. People were made to hop in place in their shackles and exercise by swinging their arms. The crew walked among them with whips or cat-o'-nine-tails to compel the forced recreation.

8. Slavery in the Colonies
Living Conditions
Most enslaved Africans worked on plantations
Some worked in mines, towns, and in the countryside.
Some were carpenters, metal workers, or coopers
Women were sometimes domestic workers.

9. Slavery in the Colonies
Living Conditions
Owners and overseers gave physical and humiliating punishments.
Owners lived in fear of slave rebellions.

10. Slavery in the Colonies
Resistance
Laws in Americas saw enslaved Africans to be property.
Slaves had no rights or freedoms.
They endured brutal treatment and abuse
Kept their traditions alive.
Others turned to religion.

11. Effects of the Slave Trade
Slave trade lasted 400 years.
Devastated societies in West Africa
15 to 20 million enslaved Africans forced to Americas
Millions more sent to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East

12. Effects of the Slave Trade
Human cost enormous
Countless died marching from interior or crammed on ships
In Africa
Strongest young people captured.
Africa’s future
Africans turned on each other to gain captives
Africans spread throughout the world
African Diaspora
Diffusion of African culture