Slavery ACS 11

Where did they come from? The main source of captives for the transatlantic trade was the West African coast The main source of captives for the transatlantic trade was the West African coast French and English got slaves for their Caribbean plantations from (current) Nigeria French and English got slaves for their Caribbean plantations from (current) Nigeria Ghana had the most European trading posts Ghana had the most European trading posts Other (current) countries that lost people to slavery included DRC, Angola, Cameroon, Togo and Benin Other (current) countries that lost people to slavery included DRC, Angola, Cameroon, Togo and Benin

“First” passage African traders captured their own people in war, in raids, as punishment for crimes and practicing witchcraft, or offered as tribute or bribes African traders captured their own people in war, in raids, as punishment for crimes and practicing witchcraft, or offered as tribute or bribes Captives fought bravely but were injured, then forced to march long distances chained in coffles, were repeatedly traded along the route, and more than half died Captives fought bravely but were injured, then forced to march long distances chained in coffles, were repeatedly traded along the route, and more than half died –Neck restraints

Then… When they reached the coast, they were held in dungeons of European trading factories to be auctioned off When they reached the coast, they were held in dungeons of European trading factories to be auctioned off –5% died while waiting –Young males preferred –Boys and girls younger than 15 or people not so valuable Then loaded on ships- usually ships held about 300 slaves Then loaded on ships- usually ships held about 300 slaves

Middle Passage Extremely tightly packed- had to lie sideways Extremely tightly packed- had to lie sideways Men often shackled in pairs Men often shackled in pairs Excessive heat in summer, no good air flow Excessive heat in summer, no good air flow Diseases such as dysentery, flu, measles, smallpox Diseases such as dysentery, flu, measles, smallpox Had to lie in their own vomit and excrement Had to lie in their own vomit and excrement 12-20% died on the trip 12-20% died on the trip Many tried to jump ship and some succeeded Many tried to jump ship and some succeeded Beatings and rape Beatings and rape

Final passage If they survived the trip, they often were taken to “seasoning” camps If they survived the trip, they often were taken to “seasoning” camps –Purpose: break their will and destroy their identities –Cruel punishments and torture Then-prepared for sale Then-prepared for sale –Time to rest, get cleaned up, skin treated to hide marks from disease, whippings, or punishments

At the auction… Healthiest ones sold first Healthiest ones sold first “Scrambles”: sick old and injured were all herded together with a fixed price on their heads “Scrambles”: sick old and injured were all herded together with a fixed price on their heads –The gates were opened and buyers rushed in to grab whichever they wanted No regard to keeping families together No regard to keeping families together