Chapter 4.3 Slavery in the Colonies The Development of Slavery in the English Colonies and its Effect on Colonial Life Introduction to Slave Trade Ted Talk

THE PRICE….

The Atlantic Slave Trade 10,000,000 enslaved Africans were transported to the Americas between the 1500’s and the 1800’s. Spanish and Portuguese brought the first Africans to the Americas British, Dutch, and French also entered the slave trade. English Colonists – especially from New England – were actively shipping enslaved Africans across the Atlantic. Africans who lived along the coast of Africa made raids into the interior seeking captives to sell to the Europeans. Forced to march up to 300 Half of the captives died along the way.

The Middle Passage When the captives arrived on the African coast they were traded for guns and other goods. They were then loaded onto slave ships and transported across the Atlantic Ocean. To increase profits, some slave-ship captains crammed the maximum number of captives on board. As many as 350 people might be bound together in a tiny space below deck Did not have light, air, restrooms, or enough food. Other captains provided better conditions, hoping that more captives would survive in good health and fetch a higher price.

Slave Ship Diagram

The Middle Passage Cont. As a result of these conditions, 15 to 20 percent of enslaved Africans dies or committed suicide. Slaves in cargo hold Scene from Middle Passage Once slave ships reached the Americas, healthy men, women and children were put on the auction block. Families were often separated at this point. Vast majority of those sold ended up on plantations in the Spanish colonies, Brazil, or the Caribbean. 500,000 enslaved Africans ended up in British North America

Triangular Trade Triangular Trade – A three-way trade between the Americas (West Indies and North America), Europe, and Africa. **BOOK STATES DIFFERENT! First Leg – ships from New England carried fish, lumber, and other goods to the Caribbean islands or West Indies. Traded for Slaves. AND VICE VERSA! Ships from New England sent raw goods such as cotton, lumber, sugar, and tobacco to England Second Leg – Ships from Europe carried rum, guns, and other manufactured goods to West Africa to buy slaves. Third Leg – Slaves bought in Africa sent via Middle Passage to the West Indies to be sold.

Triangular Trade Visually Speilberg Documentary on Middle Passage and Triangle Trade

Slavery in the Colonies Slavery took root because of the plantation system. The profits that could be made from tobacco and rice led planters to import thousands of enslaved Africans to work the fields. The southern economy depended on slaves. Slaves were preferable to indentured servants because indentured servants were temporary, and were free to go after serving their time. Slaves were permanent. In 1639, Maryland passed a law stating that baptism did not lead to liberty. This meant people could be enslaved for life. In 1663, Virginia passed a law that any child born to a slave was a slave too.

Resistance to Slavery First serious slave Revolt happened in 1663 in Gloucester, Virginia. It failed. Other revolts followed in Connecticut and Virginia Fearing more trouble, colonial law-makers wrote the Slave Codes = strict laws that restricted the rights and activities of slaves Could not meet in large numbers Could not own weapons Could not leave a plantation without permission Could not teach a slave to read or write Masters who killed a slave could not be tried for murder Did not stop resistance 1739 Jemmy led a revolt in South Carolina killed 20 whites Revolts continued to flare up until slavery ended in 1865.

African Cultural Influences Lives of enslaved Africans differed greatly from colony to colony. In the North, they were often hired out to work as blacksmiths or house servants They might be able to buy their freedom someday. Rice Plantations slaves of South Carolina saw few whites. Kept the customs of West Africa Spoke Gullah – a special dialect that was created on the west coast of Africa during slave times. Was a mix of English and several African languages African customs survived Created quilts, furniture, walking sticks, and other objects Rhythm drums found their way into American music Folk Tales from Africa became a part of American culture.

Thinking… How does the concept of slavery fit into a society that has started a rebellion based on unfair treatment? What do you think were some of the reasons colonists still believed in the institution of slavery?