1. The Middle Passage Lesson starter:
Give two examples of the treatment of slaves in slave factories
(try to give the why this was done too.)

2. I can… We are learning to…
Describe the conditions of the Middle Passage
I can…
Write a diary entry of an African on a slave ship (giving 10 points of knowledge)

3. Background
The voyage from West Africa to the West Indies became known as the middle passage
It was the most brutal part of the slave trade
The conditions on the middle passage regularly comes up in the N5 paper!

4. Watch the clip and write down 5 things you notice

5. Stage 1: Boarding
Slaves were loaded like goods onto ships – quickly and efficiently
They were usually carried to slave ships on canoes
Nets were placed around the ship to stop slaves trying to escape or commit suicide
Heads were shaved and clothes removed
Some Africans believed they were going to be eaten by Europeans and were terrified

6. Stage 2: On Board
Slaves were kept below deck on the ship (no fresh air or light)
Slaves were chained together side by side
They were restrained using shackles (fastened ankles together) or manacles (wrists)
Slaves did the toilet in latrine buckets which were often knocked over in the dark or by choppy sea
The voyage took about 6-8 weeks
They ate, slept, did the toilet, gave birth and died below deck
They had no idea where they were or where they were going
Many tried to commit suicide by jumping overboard

7. Middle Passage: Daily Routine
Slaves were usually allowed up on deck for 1-2 hours a day for air and exercise (only when land was out of sight)
They were taken up in groups and kept chained together
They were fed twice a day (rice, millet, yams & sometimes oranges) and given about a pint of water
Slaves were made to clean the ship
Slaves were whipped to make them jump/ exercise/ move about

8. Disease
The ship’s crew dreaded an outbreak of disease as it was very hard to contain on board
Common outbreaks were gastroenteritis, dysentery, dropsy, scarlet fever and yellow fever
During a storm, disease spread quickly as slaves were kept below deck in filthy conditions – hot, damp, no fresh air etc.
Often the crew would become ill too – deaths amongst crew on slave ships were much higher than on other boats
Working as crew was not a desirable job – many had to be bribed or plied with alcohol to agree to it

9. Rebellion
Attempts by the slaves to take over were very common but rarely successful
There was roughly eight ‘insurrections’ for every 10 voyages
Over 50 major mutinies occurred on slave ships in the Middle Passage between 1699 and 1865.
The primary sources on the next slide tell us about some examples…
Look for information on;
What the slaves arm themselves with
How successful rebellions were

10. I discovered today that the slaves were plotting an insurrection
I discovered today that the slaves were plotting an insurrection. I found some knives, stones and a chisel. I put four boys in irons and thumbscrews to urge them into a confession.
From Captain John Newton’s diary.
The Africans armed themselves with various weapons. They came in crowds on our men and attacked them unaware. The stabbed the stoutset one of us. He received 15 wounds. Next they assaulted the boatswain (supervisor) and cut one of his legs to the bone right through the nerve. Another cut the cook’s throat and threw a sailor overboard. This rebellion was immediately put down. Many of the mutineers leapt overboard and drowned themselves.

11. There were frequent uprisings but most were prevented
There were frequent uprisings but most were prevented. Some succeeded and killed the whole crew, but only a few. When the leaders of these were quizzed they asked us what business we had to take them from their country. That they had wives and children in Africa.
In the latest insurrection, we lost 100 slaves who have jumped overboard. Most were recovered but three chose death rather than come back onboard.

12. Task: Apply your new knowledge
Middle Passage Diary Entry.
You should write a diary entry for an African on the middle passage between Africa and the West Indies. You should include;
Boarding the ship
Conditions on board
Daily Routine
Disease
Rebellions
10 marks available – 1 for every factually correct point.

13. Slave Auctions Lesson starter Describe how an auction works.
What type of slaves do you think would be most valuable? Why?

14. I can… We are learning to… Explain how a slave auction worked
Create a poster advertising a slave auction or
Write a description of a slave auction

15. Background
At the end of the middle passage the slaves would arrive in the West Indies/ America
They were sold by auction (to the highest bidder)
Those who were not sold were sold at a scramble – buyers rushed forward to grab the ‘lot’ they wanted to buy
Posters advertising slave auctions would go up as soon as ships arrived

16. Task One Use the following sources to gather information
Write down 1/2 key points that you notice for each

17. Key points Slaves advertised as –’negroes’
Posters in English – English speaking buyers
Young men most valuable
Skills made slaves more valuable – carpenter etc
Sold at the same time as goods and tools
Described as ‘gangs’, ‘cargo’ - dehumanised
Given English names

18. Preparing the slaves for sale
It was important that slaves looked as healthy and fit as possible so they would fetch the highest prices
Slaves were;
Washed with water
Rubbed with palm oil
Wounds from the middle passage were filled up – with tar, gunpowder or rust
Slaves with grey hairs had their heads shaved
Slaves who were sick were treated brutally to hide signs of illness – tar was put inside their anus to hide diarrhoea for example

19. How the auctions worked – in detail
In the auction, an auctioneer sold the slaves individually or in lots (as a group), with the slaves being sold to the highest bidder.
The other method was the scramble. Here the slaves were kept together in an enclosure. Buyers paid the captain a fixed sum beforehand.
Once all the buyers had paid, the enclosure gate was thrown open and the buyers rushed in together and grabbed the slaves they wanted. This was often a terrifying experience for the slaves.
Slaves left behind were called ‘refuse’. They were sold cheaply to anyone who would take them.
Any that couldn’t be sold were left at the coast to die
– 2 minute Bitesize Clip showing key points
– showing how female slaves were inspected and sold -2 minutes

20. Clips http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/clips/zbttsbk

21. Task
Task One
Task Two
Create a poster which advertises a slave auction
It should
Show where & when the sale is
What ‘lots’ are for sale
The skills of each ‘lot’
Write an eyewitness account of a slave auction
It should
Include a description of the ‘lots’ for sale
Explain how the sale works
Describe what happens to the slaves who are not sold