Slavery in the New World

Slavery and its impact Built by slaves: Built by slaves:

Named after slaves The Guinea – a British coin named for the area where they got the slaves.

Founded on slavery’s profits Brown University Yale University

Written by a slave trader

Written about a slave trader

1700s New York City New York City One third of the city’s population enslaved. Boston Boston One fourth. Slavery was NEVER simply a Southern problem.

Why Learn about New World Slavery? Extraordinary human suffering. Extraordinary human suffering. It is the key to the making of the modern world. It is the key to the making of the modern world. Responsible for the creation of modern racial identities. Responsible for the creation of modern racial identities. “western civilization” depended on New World slavery. “western civilization” depended on New World slavery.

American history was shaped by the institution of slavery. American history was shaped by the institution of slavery. Slavery has left us with lasting legacies. Slavery has left us with lasting legacies. RacismRacism PrejudicePrejudice Social inequalitySocial inequality Underdevelopment.Underdevelopment.

Slavery’s Myths Slavery is the peculiar institution. Slavery is the peculiar institution. Most labor in history has been coerced.Most labor in history has been coerced – 10% of England enslaved.1066 – 10% of England enslaved. ½ of Ancient Rome and Greece.½ of Ancient Rome and Greece. Found in Indian, Chinese, Islamic, Native American societies.Found in Indian, Chinese, Islamic, Native American societies.

New World Slavery was different though. Based on race. Based on race. Access to freedom. Access to freedom. Status in society. Status in society. Slavery as the KEY labor component. Slavery as the KEY labor component.

The Canary Islands

Why Africa? Europe was cut off from east. Europe was cut off from east. Existing system of slavery in Africa Existing system of slavery in Africa

Questions about slavery How Many? How Many? How Captured? How Captured? Why Africa? Why Africa? What was the impact on Africa? What was the impact on Africa?

1. How many? Toni Morrison’s Beloved says “60 million gone.” Toni Morrison’s Beloved says “60 million gone.” million arrived in New World. BUT 1500s and 1600s - 20% died en route. 1500s and 1600s - 20% died en route. 1700s - 10 to 15% died en route. 1700s - 10 to 15% died en route. So 3 to 4 million died along the way.

12-16 million arrive + 3 to 4 million dead= million.

BUT… ½ never got on a ship. Factories Factories Coffles Coffles So we’re talking about another million

15-20 million put on ships who never got on a ship = 30 to 40 million.

BUT… 20 million Africans were transported to slavery in North Africa, the Persian Gulf, and India (combined). SO….

15-20 million transported to NW million dead before transport + 20 million sent elsewhere = 50 to 60 million

2. How Captured? Most (about ½) were Prisoners of War. Most (about ½) were Prisoners of War. Judicial proceedings. Judicial proceedings. European trade (guns, manufactured goods) fed into the system.

3. WHY Africa? Existing system in place. Existing system in place. Political fragmentation. Political fragmentation.

4. What was the impact on Africa? Massive depopulation and skewed sex ratios. Massive depopulation and skewed sex ratios. Destruction of native industry. Destruction of native industry. Political instability. Political instability.

First Story of slavery – Incredibly depressing. The Middle Passage - this as the forced removal of up to 60 million Africans to the New World. The Middle Passage - this as the forced removal of up to 60 million Africans to the New World.

6’in length for men; 16” in width, 2.7” in depth 5’10” for women. 5’4” for boys, 4’6” for girls. “room” for 450 – actually loaded: 600+

The Zong

Only 6% of enslaved Africans came to what would become the United States. Only 6% of enslaved Africans came to what would become the United States. The largest enslaved population was in the United States. The largest enslaved population was in the United States. How is this?

Unequal sex ratios Unequal sex ratios Caribbean islands wanted men.Caribbean islands wanted men. Britain’s colonies took what was available – so they took women as well.Britain’s colonies took what was available – so they took women as well.Results: Initially the Caribbean islands had a larger slave population.Initially the Caribbean islands had a larger slave population. More revolts and runaways.More revolts and runaways.

Maroon Communities Palmares Palmares Present day Brazil.Present day Brazil. 30,000 inhabitants.30,000 inhabitants. Seminoles Seminoles

The next story of slavery – resistance that created America American English – uh-huh, uh-uh, yam, jazz – All African origin. American English – uh-huh, uh-uh, yam, jazz – All African origin. Cuisine – fricassees, deep frying, yams, rice. Cuisine – fricassees, deep frying, yams, rice. Music – banjo, jazz, yodeling, falsetto, “spirituals.” Music – banjo, jazz, yodeling, falsetto, “spirituals.” Religion – call and response, spirituality. Religion – call and response, spirituality.

African Religion Non-exclusive. Non-exclusive. Eclectic. Eclectic. No authoritative texts. No authoritative texts. Practiced syncretization - The selective fusion or blending of elements of two or more separate cultures or practices to form something new

More influences Architecture – porches, frame construction. Architecture – porches, frame construction. Rice cultivation. Rice cultivation.