Slavery & the Middle Passage

Today’s Objectives  Describe the Triangle Trade and what was traded.  Explain what is meant by the “middle passage.”  Describe the evolution of the African Slave Trade and its consequences.

The Triangle Trade Trade route with three legs.

Leg 1  Guns, cloth, iron, and beer are taken to Africa.

Leg 2 – The Middle Passage Africans’ voyage across the Atlantic to the New World to be used as slaves in the plantation system.

Leg 3 Sugar is taken to Europe to be made into rum. Other raw materials, lumber, whale oil, etc – are taken to be used in Europe.

Triangular Trade linked:  Europe  Africa  Americas

The “Middle Passage” “I’m in the belly of the beast, the bottom of the boat, And home is a place I'll never get to go.”

Coffin Position Below Deck

Exercise Had to be in acceptable physical condition to maximize profitHad to be in acceptable physical condition to maximize profit “Dancing”: Men were forced to jump up and down to the beat of a drum until their ankles bled from their chains“Dancing”: Men were forced to jump up and down to the beat of a drum until their ankles bled from their chains Crew members whipped slaves who refused to danceCrew members whipped slaves who refused to dance

Bad Weather The worst time of the Middle Passage Slaves remained below deck all day and night These “tween decks” were filled with slaves (live and dead), blood, vomit, urine, and human waste Slaves not fed as usual- forced to scrounge for crumbs

“Bedwarming” Crew member or captain took slave women from the tween decks at night Physically and sexually abused This practice demonstrated the figurative and literal rape of the African-American culture by the slave traders of the Middle Passage

Made weapons of chains and shackles to attempt to kill crew Uprisings usually put down quickly by crew  Most Africans who attempted to revolt were killed in the process Africans harmed themselves to threaten cargo (suicide, starvation)  Crew force fed slaves

One of the few successful slave mutiniesOne of the few successful slave mutinies A group of Africans led by Congolese chief Cinque killed captain and most of crew on the AmistadA group of Africans led by Congolese chief Cinque killed captain and most of crew on the Amistad Long legal battle  Supreme Court ruled the Africans to be freeLong legal battle  Supreme Court ruled the Africans to be free

Extreme overcrowding, deplorable conditions caused many to dieExtreme overcrowding, deplorable conditions caused many to die Dysentery, smallpox, ophthalmia, malaria, yellow fever, scurvyDysentery, smallpox, ophthalmia, malaria, yellow fever, scurvy Gone mad  flogged or clubbed to death and thrown overboardGone mad  flogged or clubbed to death and thrown overboard Sick  starvedSick  starved Contagious  thrown overboard so as not to infect othersContagious  thrown overboard so as not to infect others Suicide, death from revoltingSuicide, death from revolting

The Evolution of African Slavery  Some Native Americans died from fighting the Europeans but the majority died of disease.  African slaves were better at fighting off diseases.  Old world  Immunities that built up over time  As colonies expanded, the demand for slaves grew.  “Cash Crops” (sugar and rice) = need for lots of labor  Fewer indentured servants were coming from England

Slavery in the Americas  African slaves were auctioned off to the highest bidder.  Slaves worked in mines or fields or as servants.  Lifetime of bondage that was carried on for generations.  Slaves kept African traditions alive – music & stories  Resistance and rebellion

Consequences in Africa  African cultures lost their fittest, best people.  African families were separated.  Introduction of guns.

Consequences in the Americas  Led to growth of the colonies  Economic  Cultural  Led to economic and social divisions  Civil War  Intermarriage and mixed race populations

 Amistad (skip 6:02 to 7:02) Amistad  As you watch the clip, look for examples of  Triangle Trade  Impact on African societies  Conditions aboard the ships in the Middle Passage  Evidence of slaves’ rebellion  Interests of the slave traders  Interests of the buyers – where was this ship headed?