Warm Up Why slavery of Africans? –Why not Natives? –Why not White Indentured Servants?
African Slave Trade
The Spanish and Portuguese – African sugar plantations. French, British and Dutch follow this example.
Enslaved Africans vital for production of sugar, tobacco, cotton, and rice plantations. Brazil and the Caribbean = Sugar, indigo, rice, tobacco and coffee.
Capturing of slaves Slave Hunters = European merchants + Stronger African tribes subdue weaker tribes and sell them into slavery.
Barracoons = Little jails for gathering slaves Factories = Permanent jails until slave ship arrives Fill orders of slave merchants
Factory of Ghana
Merchants pay $20.00 / sell for up to $ – physical appearance important for price
Loose Pack = 400 slaves Tight Pack = “Tight Pack v. Loose Pack
Africa to Americas The Middle Passage day trip
During Middle Passage Vomit, feces, urine and blood Air not breathable Heat unbearable. 20% of cargo usually died
Life Small Meals Some drinking water Danced – Jump around exercise
Diseases on Ships Smallpox and Yellow fever The diseased thrown overboard Dead thrown overboard
Shark Migratory Pattern Change –Atlantic Slave Trade –Food for sharks –Followed ships
The iron muzzle Whipped and beaten Escape by jumping overboard Slave Revolts
3,700 mile voyage Fed Better before auction Hot tar to wide scars Oil to hide imperfections Best Market Value