THE TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE RESOURCES Source A Middle Passage was the name of the middle leg of a triangular journey across the Atlantic Ocean made by ships carrying slaves from Africa to the New World from the mid-1400’s to the mid-1800’s. Ships from Europe transported manufactured goods to the west coast of Africa. There, traders exchanged the goods for slaves. The ships then carried the slaves across the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Islands and Brazil and sold them for large profits. The traders used their earnings to buy sugar, coffee, and tobacco in the Caribbean Islands and Brazil. The ships then took these products to Europe for sale. Between 10 million and 12 million slaves were forced to make this journey. The Middle Passage began for slaves after they were captured or kidnapped by African slave dealers and brought to Africa’s western, or Atlantic, coast. Before they were sold to European traders, slaves were stripped and inspected. After being forced aboard a sailing vessel, male slaves were shackled to each other at the wrists or ankles. For many slaves who had never left their village or seen the ocean, the experience of boarding a large ship and setting sail was frightening and disorienting. The conditions on board slave ships were horrific. Except for brief visits to the surface for washing or exercise, slaves spent the entire journey below deck, packed into storage areas. Food varied depending on the ship’s point of departure from Africa. It often included beans, corn meal, rice, yams, or sometimes a protein such as fish. Slave ship crews used harsh punishment to control slaves who resisted the cruel conditions. For even the slightest disobedience, many slaves were whipped. Violent slave revolts were suppressed with pistols and muskets. Every effort was also made to stop slave suicide attempts. Slaves who managed to jump
Transcript
THE TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE RESOURCES
Source A
Middle Passage was the name of the middle leg of a triangular journey across the Atlantic Ocean made by ships carrying slaves from Africa to the New World from the mid-1400’s to the mid-1800’s. Ships from Europe transported manufactured goods to the west coast of Africa. There, traders exchanged the goods for slaves. The ships then carried the slaves across the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Islands and Brazil and sold them for large profits. The traders used their earnings to buy sugar, coffee, and tobacco in the Caribbean Islands and Brazil. The ships then took these products to Europe for sale. Between 10 million and 12 million slaves were forced to make this journey.
The Middle Passage began for slaves after they were captured or kidnapped by African slave dealers and brought to Africa’s western, or Atlantic, coast. Before they were sold to European traders, slaves were stripped and inspected. After being forced aboard a sailing vessel, male slaves were shackled to each other at the wrists or ankles. For many slaves who had never left their village or seen the ocean, the experience of boarding a large ship and setting sail was frightening and disorienting.
The conditions on board slave ships were horrific. Except for brief visits to the surface for washing or exercise, slaves spent the entire journey below deck, packed into storage areas. Food varied depending on the ship’s point of departure from Africa. It often included beans, corn meal, rice, yams, or sometimes a protein such as fish.
Slave ship crews used harsh punishment to control slaves who resisted the cruel conditions. For even the slightest disobedience, many slaves were whipped. Violent slave revolts were suppressed with pistols and muskets. Every effort was also made to stop slave suicide attempts. Slaves who managed to jump overboard were trapped in large nets or retrieved from the water by members of the ship’s crew. Slaves who refused to eat had food forced into their mouth with specially designed mechanical devices.
The journey from Africa to the Americas took from several weeks to several months. The extreme heat, stench of human waste, and constant crying, screaming, and shouting were often overwhelming to the slaves. Many slaves starved, suffocated, or fell victim to disease or dehydration. Others became insane.
Upon arrival in the Americas, slaves were fed, washed, and groomed to appear healthy. They were then sold directly to slave owners, or at auctions held on the decks of ships or in open-air markets onshore. Many slaves were left with physical, psychological, and emotional scars from the journey.
Source B
One day, as I was watching at the top of a tree in our yard, I saw one of those people come into the yard of our next neighbour but one, to kidnap, there being many stout young people in it. Immediately, on this, I gave the alarm of the rogue, and he was surrounded by the stoutest of them, who entangled him with cords, so that he could not escape till some of the grown people came and secured him. But alas! ere long, it was my fate to be thus attacked, and to be carried off, when none of the grown people were nigh. One day, when all our people were gone out to their works as usual, and only I and my dear sister were left to mind the house, two men and a woman got over our walls, and in a moment seized us both; and, without giving us time to cry out, or make resistance, they stopped our mouths, and ran off with us into the nearest wood. Here they tied our hands, and continued to carry us as far as they could, till night came on, when we reached a small house, where the robbers halted for refreshment, and spent the night. We were then unbound; but were unable to take any food; and, being quite overpowered by fatigue and grief, our only relief was some sleep, which allayed our misfortune for a short time.
Source: The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa the African (London, 1789). As adapted by Steven Mintz, University of Houston http://www.vgskole.net/prosjekt/slavrute/3.htm.
Source C - "The Middle Passage"
Two by two the men and women were forced beneath deck into the bowels of the slave ship.
The "packing" was done as efficiently as possible. The captives lay down on unfinished planking with virtually no room to move or breathe. Elbows and wrists will be scraped to the bone by the motion of the rough seas.
Some will die of disease, some of starvation, and some simply of despair. This was the fate of millions of West Africans across three and a half centuries of the slave trade on the voyage known as the "middle passage."
Two philosophies dominated the loading of a slave ship. "LOOSE PACKING" provided for fewer slaves per ship in the hopes that a greater percentage of the cargo would arrive alive. "TIGHT PACKING" captains believed that more slaves, despite higher casualties, would yield a greater profit at the trading block.
Doctors would inspect the slaves before purchase from the African trader to determine which individuals would most likely survive the voyage. In return, the traders would receive guns, gunpowder, rum or other sprits, textiles or trinkets.
The "MIDDLE PASSAGE," which brought the slaves from West Africa to the West Indies, might take three weeks. Unfavorable weather conditions could make the trip much longer.
Slaves were fed twice daily and some captains made vain attempts to clean the hold at this time. Air holes were cut into the deck to allow the slaves breathing air, but these were closed in stormy conditions. The bodies of the dead were simply thrust overboard. And yes, there were uprisings.
Upon reaching the West Indies, the slaves were fed and cleaned in the hopes of bringing a high price on the block. Those that could not be sold were left for dead. The slaves were then transported to their final destination. It was in this unspeakable manner that between ten and twenty million Africans were introduced to the New World.
Once in the Americas, slaves were sold, by auction, to the person that bid the most money for them. It was here that family members would find themselves split up, as a bidder may not want to buy the whole family, only the strongest, healthiest member.
Slave Auctions were advertised when it was known that a slave ship was due to arrive. Posters like the one pictured above would be displayed around the town.
When the slave ship docked, the slaves would be taken off the ship and placed in a pen like this one. There they would be washed and their skin covered with grease, or sometimes tar, to make them look more healthy. This was done so that they would fetch as much money as possible. They would also be branded with a hot iron to identify them as slaves.
The slaves would be brought from the pen, in turn, to stand on a raised platform so that they could be seen by the buyers. Before the bidding began, those that wished to, could come up onto the platform to inspect the slaves closely. The slaves had to endure being poked, prodded and forced to open their mouths for the buyers.
The auctioneer would decide a price to start the bidding. This would be higher for fit, young slaves and lower for older, very young or sickly slaves. Potential buyers would then bid against each other. The person who bid the most would then own that slave. The picture below shows a slave being auctioned to the highest bidder.
"Black Peoples of America - The Slave Auction." Black Peoples of America. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.
Source E
The Growth of Slavery in the Southern Colonies
Slavery became the heart of southern colonial society and the economy at the turn of the 18th century. The English and French forced an astounding six million Africans into slavery. Most went to the West Indies and Brazil, but large numbers did go to the Chesapeake region, perhaps as many as 100,000 in the 1700s. As slaves were imported, and as they increased naturally, the southern colonies evolved from a society with slaves to a slave society.
As tobacco markets grew stronger after 1730 and England signed contracts with France to sell the French as much tobacco as they demanded, the southern colonies growing tobacco increased production to take advantage of the rising prices.
Slave masters in the southern colonies paid attention to their slaves’ health, clothing, and food supply. Not so much from a sense of humanity, but because the masters wanted the slaves to form families and reproduce. This would lessen demand for expensive imported slaves. As a result by the 1750s, American-born slaves outnumbered African slaves in the North American colonies.
Slavery in the Northern Colonies
Slavery did not supply the labor force in the northern colonies, but there were slaves in the North. By the 1740s, Philadelphia was 9 percent slave; New York 18 percent. In total, there were more than 15,000 slaves in New England. There were obvious differences between slavery in the North and South. Most slaves in the North lived in cities and worked in homes or shops. Few families owned more than a handful of slaves. This differed dramatically with slavery on the plantations. Urban slaves had more opportunities to become literate, learn a skill, and hire-out for wages on occasion. They also had more of a chance to plan revolts. Slave revolts were foiled in New York in 1712 and 1741. Leaders at both of these aborted revolts intended to burn the cities down, free all the slaves, and then flee to the countryside. Although plans like these were made by slaves on southern plantations, it was the urban slaves, who were literate and held greater skills, who came the closest to carrying out well-organized, successful slave revolts.
Excerpted from "Slavery in the Colonies." Slavery in the Colonies. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.
Source F
Slave Coffle, Central Africa
"Children and Youth in History." Omeka RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2015.
Source G
Wooden Yokes Used in Coffles, Senegal, ca. 1789
"Despair of Slavery Marker." Despair of Slavery Marker. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2015.
Source H
Slave ship diagrams, 18th century
http://www.sciencephoto.com/media/410031/view
Source I
The Africans of the slave bark "Wildfire"--The slave deck of the bark "Wildfire,"
"The Africans of the Slave Bark "Wildfire"--The Slave Deck of the Bark "Wildfire," Brought into Key West on April 30, 1860." The Africans of the Slave Bark "Wildfire"--The Slave Deck of the Bark "Wildfire," Brought into Key West on April 30, 1860. N.p., n.d.
Web. 29 Sept. 2015.
Source J
Slave auction at Richmond, Virginia
"Slave Auction at Richmond, Virginia :: Richmond Nineteenth-Century Print Collection." Slave Auction at Richmond, Virginia :: Richmond Nineteenth-Century Print Collection. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2015.
Digital Resources
Source KReading: The Middle PassageLink: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1p277.html
Source L Interactive Map: The Atlantic Slave Trade in Two Minutes
