What were the top overseas destinations for African slaves? What is surprising or significant about the maps?

Observe: What do you notice about the destinations for the slaves?

The Beginning of Slavery -Many civilizations have kept slaves over time Mayans, Aztecs, Sumerians, Babylonians, Egyptians – religious texts -Slavery existed in Africa prior to European contact -Most slaves were people who had been captured in war -In many African societies, slaves were simply part of the community. Treated like a wage laborer / servant

Why do you think European countries did not travel into the interior of Africa to obtain slaves?

African Kingdoms traded slaves for guns and goods On the coast, slaves were sold to different proprietors who were responsible for shipping them over seas.

Middle Passage “ The stench of the hold …was so intolerably loathsome, that it was dangerous to remain there for any time…The closeness of the place, and the heat of the climate…almost suffocated us…” -Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, 1789

Conditions of the Ships “I was soon put down under the decks, and there I received such a salutation in my nostrils as I had never experienced in my life: so that with the loathsomeness of the stench and crying together, I became so sick and low that I was not able to eat, nor had I the least desire to taste anything.” - Olaudah Equiano

Impact of Slave Trade Social Political Economic Overall Loss of Culture Destroys entire societies Trade goods spread (guns and goods) African Diaspora – over 15M Africans spread throughout the world Destroys family structure (majority taken were men) Starts imperialism and colonialism Lose workforce Wipes out population Establishes Racism Conflict Starts uneven balance of trade – dependent on other countries