1. The Middle Passage and African Americans in the Colonies

2. The Shock of Enslavement European traders did not enslave Africans themselves. Relied on other Africans to capture slaves for them. Built forts along West coast of Africa to buy slaves from African traders

3. Shock of Enslavement Marched in chains to shore to be confined in cages until there were enough to fill a ship. Examined to ensure their fitness and were branded with a hot iron

4. Middle Passage One part of the triangular trade between the Americas, Europe, and Africa 10-14 % died on slave ships – chains, heat, disease, no sanitation Tried to revolt to were rarely successful – slave traders were heavily armed

5. Middle Passage 6-8 week journey Men were wedged below deck into spaces about 6ft long, 16inches wide, 30 inched high – Women & children were packed even more tightly Forced to remain on deck for most of the journey

8. Slavery in the Colonies South Carolina & Georgia: grew rice and indigo High temperatures and disease Majority of population Regular contact with only a handful of white colonists. Kept many cultural traditions Kinships: strong bonds between families

9. Virginia & Maryland Minority of population Tobacco was major crop – given other jobs More regular contact with European Americans

10. New England & Middle Colonies 400,000 African Americans lived in the Southern Colonies – 50,000 in New England and Middle Colonies Smaller farms = worked in cities as cooks, housekeepers, or personal servants

11. Laws & Slave Codes Slave Codes: defined the status of slaves & the rights of slave owners Laws that determined African Americans’ rights while slaves & if they were freed.

12. Families & Communities Most of a slave’s life was structured by work. Most female slaves were field hands along with the men. Ties of family & community that combined African traditions w/ New World experience