Slavery in the New World

“Contraband Gordon” – escaped slavery, fled to Union Army lines, 1863

Still shot from “Quilombo” (1984)

Slavery and its impact Built by slaves:

Named after slaves The Guinea – a British coin named for the area where they got the slaves.

Founded on slavery’s profits Brown University Yale University

Written by a slave trader

Written about a slave trader

1700s New York City One third of the city’s population enslaved. Boston One fourth. Slavery was NEVER simply a Southern problem.

Why Learn about New World Slavery? Extraordinary human suffering. It is the key to the making of the modern world. Responsible for the creation of modern racial identities. “western civilization” depended on New World slavery.

American history was shaped by the institution of slavery. Slavery has left us with lasting legacies. Racism Prejudice Social inequality Underdevelopment.

Slavery’s Myths Slavery is the peculiar institution. Most labor in history has been coerced. 1066 – 10% of England enslaved. ½ of Ancient Rome and Greece. Found in Indian, Chinese, Islamic, Native American societies.

New World Slavery was different though. Based on race. Access to freedom. Status in society. Slavery as the KEY labor component.

The Canary Islands

Why Africa? Europe was cut off from east. Existing system of slavery in Africa

Questions about slavery How Many? How Captured? Why Africa? What was the impact on Africa?

12-16 million arrived in New World. 1. How many? Toni Morrison’s Beloved says “60 million gone.” 12-16 million arrived in New World. BUT 1500s and 1600s - 20% died en route. 1700s - 10 to 15% died en route. So 3 to 4 million died along the way.

12-16 million arrive + 3 to 4 million dead= 15-20 million.

BUT… ½ never got on a ship. Factories Coffles So we’re talking about another 15-20 million

30 to 40 million. 15-20 million put on ships + 15-20 who never got on a ship = 30 to 40 million.

BUT… 20 million Africans were transported to slavery in North Africa, the Persian Gulf, and India (combined). SO….

50 to 60 million 15-20 million transported to NW + 15-20 million dead before transport + 20 million sent elsewhere = 50 to 60 million

2. How Captured? Most (about ½) were Prisoners of War. Judicial proceedings. European trade (guns, manufactured goods) fed into the system.

3. WHY Africa? Existing system in place. Political fragmentation.

4. What was the impact on Africa? Massive depopulation and skewed sex ratios. Destruction of native industry. Political instability.

The Middle Passage The forced removal of up to 60 million Africans to the New World.

6’in length for men; 16” in width, 2.7” in depth 5’10” for women. 5’4” for boys, 4’6” for girls. “room” for 450 – actually loaded: 600+

The Zong

Only 6% of enslaved Africans came to what would become the United States. The largest enslaved population was in the United States. How is this?

Unequal sex ratios Caribbean islands wanted men. Britain’s colonies took what was available – so they took women as well. Results: Initially the Caribbean islands had a larger slave population. More revolts and runaways.

Maroon Communities Palmares Seminoles Present day Brazil. 30,000 inhabitants. Seminoles

The next story of slavery – resistance that created America American English – uh-huh, uh-uh, yam, jazz – All African origin. Cuisine – fricassees, deep frying, yams, rice. Music – banjo, jazz, yodeling, falsetto, “spirituals.” Religion – call and response, spirituality.

African Religion Non-exclusive. Eclectic. No authoritative texts. Practiced syncretization - The selective fusion or blending of elements of two or more separate cultures or practices to form something new

More influences Architecture – porches, frame construction. Rice cultivation.