Africa and the Atlantic Slave Trade

DO NOW How had West African coastal kingdoms previously had contact with Europe and the Middle East before 1450?

Pre-European African Slavery Already established in African kingdoms Conquered peoples enslaved as kingdoms expanded Women especially were enslaved to expand lineages Owning slaves was a sign of wealth and status Used for gold mining, salt production, caravan trading

Portuguese in Africa Factories: trading forts on the coast Traded with African kingdoms (Dahomey, Benin) Monopoly on Atlantic slave trade (1450-1650) Pre-1450: slave raids Post-1450: traded for slaves

West African Kingdoms Ashanti Empire (1701-1957) Major producer of gold Unified by Osei Tutu (r. 1695-1717) Kingdom of Dahomey (ca. 1600-ca. 1900) African kingdoms traded slaves with Europeans for rum, textiles, and firearms Used firearms to strengthen royal authority, build professional armies, expand empires, and capture more slaves Golden Stool of the Ashanti; king of Dahomey

REVIEW When did the enslavement of Africans begin? What did Europeans trade for African slaves?

Elmina Castle Built by the Portuguese in 1482 Later used by Dutch and English until early 1800s

Elmina Castle Slaves were brought to the coast by African slave traders “Door of No Return”—slaves are lowered on to boats that will take them to the Americas Up to 200 Africans per cell 30,000 Africans processed through Elmina every year

Conditions on a Slave Ship

Slave Trade The Middle Passage: section of the Triangle Trade from Africa to the Americas 1-6 months at sea Slave ship sailors Drunk, indebted, former prisoners Slaves Attempted revolts, committed suicide

Triangle Trade

Slave Trade

African Slave Trade Up to 12 million Africans transported to the New World 10-20% died in the Middle Passage

REVIEW What was the section of the Triangle Trade called where African slaves were transported to the New World? How would you describe the experience of slaves in the slave forts in West Africa and on the slave ships?

African Diaspora

African Slaves in the Americas Slaves had high mortality rate, low fertility rate More slaves had to be continuously imported African men were taken more than women Familiar with tropical agriculture Stronger immunities to malaria and yellow fever 40% of slaves to Brazil United States: 6 million slaves by 1860 Up to 25% of the population Caribbean: 80-90% of the population

Religious Syncretism Vodou (Haiti) and Candomblé (Brazil): Fused multiple traditional African religions with Native American and Catholic beliefs Focused their worship towards a creator deity and various loa or orishas (spirits) Believed in spirit possession Created shrines to honor various spirits Women played prominent roles as priestesses

Impact of Europeans on Africa Manioc/cassava/yams/sweet potatoes and maize were introduced to Africa by Portuguese Drought-resistant and high calorie content Replaced other African staple crops

REVIEW Where did African slaves make up the largest percentage of the New World population? What were the effects of the African Diaspora?