Aim: How did the role of slavery change during the Age of Exploration? Do Now: List 3 words or phrases that you think of when you see the word slavery.

I Slavery Existed in Ancient History! Slavery has existed for thousands of years, including Ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, and in the Muslim world. The word “slave” comes from the Slavs, who were slaves in Ancient Rome. At this time, you became a slave if… You were born into slavery You were captured in war You owed a debt C) Slavery was NOT based on racism at this time.

II Slavery in the Age of Exploration A) Starting with Portugal, Europeans in the 15th century began to trade manufactured goods for slaves in Africa. Europeans built slave forts on the West African coast. Africans kidnapped people from rival tribes and brought them to the forts. B) The African slaves were then put on slave trips. Their journey across the Atlantic Ocean was called the Middle Passage. The conditions were horrific and many did not survive. *It was difficult to revolt because most slave ships carried slaves who spoke different languages, so it was harder to communicate. C) Once in the Americas, the slaves were sold for auction. Racism evolved to justify this practice. D) Slavery in the Age of Exploration existed mostly due to economic reasons.

Triangular Trade

Slave Holding Chamber, Zanzibar

Hollywood vs. Real Life A scene from the miniseries Roots. Alex Haley's Pulitzer Prize winning book, Roots: The Saga of an American Family. Volume I details the life of Kunta Kinte in Gambia, Africa and his capture by slavers in 1750.

III Olaudah Equiano Captured far from the African coast when he was a boy of 11, Olaudah Equiano was sold into slavery, later acquired his freedom, and, in 1789, wrote his autobiography. “…the ship… was so crowded that each had scarcely room to turn himself… This produced copious perspirations [sweat], so that the air soon became unfit for respiration, from a variety of loathsome smells, and brought on a sickness among the slaves, of which many died... This wretched situation was again aggravated by the gaffing of the chains… and the filth of the necessary tubs, into which the children often fell, and were almost suffocated. The shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying, rendered the whole a scene of horror almost inconceivable...” Equiano, 1789

Moulkheir Mint Yarba escaped slavery in 2010 in Mauritania. IV Slavery Today A) Even though slavery is illegal today throughout the world, slavery unfortunately still exists. B) In 1981, Mauritania became the last nation in the world to abolish slavery, although Mauritania has more (illegal) slaves today than any other country per capita. Moulkheir Mint Yarba escaped slavery in 2010 in Mauritania. A protest in support of the girls kidnapped by members of the terrorist organization Boko Haram in front of the Nigerian Embassy in D.C., May 6, 2014.

Summary Questions How did you become a slave in ancient history? How did you become a slave during the Age of Exploration? What was Triangular Trade and the Middle Passage? Who was Olaudah Equiano? How did he describe slavery? What is your reaction to what he wrote? Why does slavery still exist? How can we stop it?

Key Vocabulary Boko Haram Olaudah Equiano Mauritania Middle Passage Slav Slave Fortress Triangular Trade