Warm Up What do you see in this painting? What message do you think the artist was trying to convey here? What do you already know about this topic? Middle Passage - Viola Burley Leak, 1997

Voices from The Transatlantic Slave Trade Essential Questions: 1. Why is it important to study the history of slavery? 2. Why have humans throughout history enslaved one another?

■ Other captives were shipped north across the deserts of northwest Africa to the Mediterranean coast (to Morocco). ■ Africans were purchased there to work as servants in Spain, Portugal, and other countries. By the mid-1400’s, Portuguese ship captains were trading slaves along the west coast of Africa for working on sugar plantations. What do you think “Trans-Saharan” refers to? Between the 10th – 14th century, African captives were sold in Islamic markets around the area of present day Sudan. Many of these slaves were female, sold for servants or concubines. Trans-Saharan Slave Trade

Transatlantic Slave Trade Spanish adventurers arrived in the following years, enslaving Native Americans to search for gold and silver. Spanish adventurers arrived in the following years, enslaving Native Americans to search for gold and silver. In 1492, Columbus landed in the “New World,” linking Europe & The Americas In 1492, Columbus landed in the “New World,” linking Europe & The Americas Around 1520, the first African slaves arrived in the Americas off of Portuguese ships. Around 1520, the first African slaves arrived in the Americas off of Portuguese ships. The Natives were weakened by disease, malnutrition, & Spanish cruelty so the Spanish decided to use Africans. The Natives were weakened by disease, malnutrition, & Spanish cruelty so the Spanish decided to use Africans. Now that we understand what the “Trans-Saharan” slave trade was, what do you think “Transatlantic” refers to?

“Triangle Trade Route” Based on this map, what do you think the Triangle Trade Route was? How do you think each continent was affected by this trade? What impact did slavery have on colonial economics?

The Middle Passage Middle Passage = ship crossing for African slaves to the New World Middle Passage = ship crossing for African slaves to the New World What do you think life would have been like on a slave ship? What do you think life would have been like on a slave ship?

Several hundred slaves were packed below deck on stacked wooden platforms. These platforms were covered with excrement, blood, and filth and caused many infections and diseases. Slaves were confined by leg irons while on the ship and were often tortured with whip beatings. Many slaves committed suicide by jumping overboard or refusing to eat. As the journey typically took several months…15-20% of the slaves died on the ship Estimates claim 2-4 million slaves died on the Middle Passage

Those surviving The Middle Passage were auctioned off… Those surviving The Middle Passage were auctioned off… In the 18 th century, the “ideal” slave (male, strong, young, & healthy) was worth how much in today’s money? In the 18 th century, the “ideal” slave (male, strong, young, & healthy) was worth how much in today’s money? $11,630-$23,200 $11,630-$23,200 40% of slaves before the American Revolution passed through South Carolina and were often put to work in its rice fields… 40% of slaves before the American Revolution passed through South Carolina and were often put to work in its rice fields… Slavery in the Southern Colonies

There was no harder or more unhealthy work than the rice fields… There was no harder or more unhealthy work than the rice fields… “Ankle deep or mid-leg in water which floats an oozy mud, and exposed to a burning sun which makes the air hotter than human blood; those poor wretches are in a furnace of stinking putrid vapor” 2 out of 3 African-American children on rice plantations failed to reach their 16 th birthday (malaria, harsh working conditions) 2 out of 3 African-American children on rice plantations failed to reach their 16 th birthday (malaria, harsh working conditions)

Copper Sun About a 15 year old African girl, Amari, and her experiences with the slave trade About a 15 year old African girl, Amari, and her experiences with the slave trade Historical Fiction: Work of fiction, but events of the story are based on fact Historical Fiction: Work of fiction, but events of the story are based on fact Author spent 10 years researching its content Author spent 10 years researching its content Written by Sharon Draper, 2006 Written by Sharon Draper, 2006 Grand-daughter of a slave Grand-daughter of a slave Setting: 1738 (slave trade in full swing); African village, then South Carolina Setting: 1738 (slave trade in full swing); African village, then South Carolina What kinds of things do you think Amari will experience that you learned about today?