Beginnings of Slavery in the Americas Chapter 2, Section 4

The Origins of American Slavery Slavery was not new, went back to ancient civilizations Slavery took many forms Domestic servants in wealthy households Laborers in mines and fields War prisoners Sold to pay off debt

Origins of American Slavery Some slaves were treated with respect Allowed to marry Own property Children of slaves often were free Slavery changed with the rise of sugar plantations – why?

Slavery and Sugar Spanish and Portuguese colonies in North America Brought the plantation system with them Tried to enslave Native Americans What happened? They look to other sources – Spanish slaves, black Christian slaves, and Asian slaves Why was this not a solution?

Slavery and Sugar Four basic reasons Spanish and Portuguese enslaved Africans 1. Africans were immune to most European diseases 2. Africans had no friends or family in the Americas 3. Enslaved Africans provided a permanent source of cheap labor 4. Many Africans had worked on farms in their native lands

The Slave Trade Spanish governor of Hispaniola, Diego Colon, wrote to King Ferdinand Complains of labor shortage Who is Diego’s famous father? Slave trade grew with the demand; colonies became dependent on slave labor

The Slave Trade Role of European slave traders and the rulers of West African kingdoms? Where did the coastal, local kings get the captives? What did the African kings get in exchange for captives? What effect did the slave trade have on inland African societies?

The Middle Passage African Diaspora Middle Passage Diaspora – the scattering of people outside their homeland Middle Passage It was the middle leg of the triangular trade Triangular trade – refers to the movement of trade ships between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

The Middle Passage What were conditions like on the slave ships? Who was Olaudah Equiano? Why would slave traders pack so many captives onto slave ships?

Slavery in the Americas What happened to the slaves who survived the journey? Sold at auction Some taken to large homes to be servants Most forced to do hard labor Fed and housed poorly How did slaves resist? How did the Spanish government respond? Slave codes What was the purpose of these laws?

Slavery in the Americas Slave trade lasted for nearly 400 years (1500s-1800s) Contributed to the Columbian Exchange Africans brought knowledge of farming and animals American crops like sweet potatoes, peanuts, and chilies went to Africa Exchange of African cultures

By the end of the slave trade in the late 1800s, 12 million Africans had been enslaved and sent to the Western hemisphere. Of these, perhaps two million died during the voyage.

Key Terms Slavery – the practice of holding a person in bondage for labor African Diaspora – the forced removal of Africans from their homelands to serve as slave labor in the Americas Middle Passage – the middle leg of the triangular trade route (the voyage from Africa to the Americas) that brought captured Africans into slavery Slave codes – a law passed to regulate the treatment of slaves Racism – the belief that some people are inferior because of their race