The Atlantic Slave Trade 4.3 The Atlantic Slave Trade

Slavery in Africa Slavery existed in Africa Muslims believed it was OK to sell non-Muslim prisoners of war as slaves Slaves had some legal rights in Africa and opportunity for social mobility Could serve in the army (even as generals) Marry into family they served

Demand for African Slaves Due to disease, Native Americans are dying by the millions A new labor source is needed Africans offer many advantages (discussed in section 1)

Atlantic Slave Trade Between 1500-1600 there were 300,000 Africans transported to the Americas Between 1600-1700 – 1.3 million Africans transported to Americas Spain & Portugal leaders in slave trade Sugar plantations in Brazil require many slaves In the 1800s, over 40% of all Africans sent to Brazil

Atlantic Slave Trade England imports slaves to West Indies to work on sugar plantations England outlaws slavery in 1807 Slavery spreads to North American colonies 400,000 slaves sold to colonies – by 1830 2,000,000 slaves in U.S. African rulers contributed to slave trade Africans captured other Africans and sold them to European slave traders for gold and guns

Triangular Trade Triangle Trade = transportation network of slaves, manufactured good, & raw materials Routes were between Europe, Africa and Americas Europe provided manufactured goods & guns Africa provided slaves Americas provided raw materials

Triangle Trade

Middle Passage The voyage of the slaves was called the Middle Passage Africans were jammed into ships for the voyage During the voyage whippings and beatings occurred Disease spread rapidly on ships 20% of Africans died on the voyages

Slavery in the Americas Slaves were auctioned to the highest bidder Families were often separated Often a lifelong condition & one of heredity Slaves resisted Kept traditions and songs Break tools Work slowly Destroy plants Rioted & revolted

Impact of Slave Trade African tribes lost their strongest and fittest people Families torn apart Guns brought to African continent Contribute to economic growth in America Culture, food, music, traditions brought with them