The Middle Passage Lesson starter: Give two examples of the treatment of slaves in slave factories (try to give the why this was done too.)

I can… We are learning to… Describe the conditions of the Middle Passage I can… Write a diary entry of an African on a slave ship (giving 10 points of knowledge)

Background The voyage from West Africa to the West Indies became known as the middle passage It was the most brutal part of the slave trade The conditions on the middle passage regularly comes up in the N5 paper!

Watch the clip and write down 5 things you notice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCHvD2DyWeY

Stage 1: Boarding Slaves were loaded like goods onto ships – quickly and efficiently They were usually carried to slave ships on canoes Nets were placed around the ship to stop slaves trying to escape or commit suicide Heads were shaved and clothes removed Some Africans believed they were going to be eaten by Europeans and were terrified

Stage 2: On Board Slaves were kept below deck on the ship (no fresh air or light) Slaves were chained together side by side They were restrained using shackles (fastened ankles together) or manacles (wrists) Slaves did the toilet in latrine buckets which were often knocked over in the dark or by choppy sea The voyage took about 6-8 weeks They ate, slept, did the toilet, gave birth and died below deck They had no idea where they were or where they were going Many tried to commit suicide by jumping overboard

Middle Passage: Daily Routine Slaves were usually allowed up on deck for 1-2 hours a day for air and exercise (only when land was out of sight) They were taken up in groups and kept chained together They were fed twice a day (rice, millet, yams & sometimes oranges) and given about a pint of water Slaves were made to clean the ship Slaves were whipped to make them jump/ exercise/ move about

I can… We are learning to… Describe the conditions of the Middle Passage I can… Write a diary entry of an African on a slave ship (giving 10 points of knowledge)

Disease The ship’s crew dreaded an outbreak of disease as it was very hard to contain on board Common outbreaks were gastroenteritis, dysentery, dropsy, scarlet fever and yellow fever During a storm, disease spread quickly as slaves were kept below deck in filthy conditions – hot, damp, no fresh air etc. Often the crew would become ill too – deaths amongst crew on slave ships were much higher than on other boats Working as crew was not a desirable job – many had to be bribed or plied with alcohol to agree to it

Rebellion Attempts by the slaves to take over were very common but rarely successful There was roughly one ‘insurrections’ for every 10 voyages Over 50 major mutinies occurred on slave ships in the Middle Passage between 1699 and 1865. The primary sources on the next slide tell us about some examples… Look for information on; What the slaves arm themselves with How successful rebellions were

I discovered today that the slaves were plotting an insurrection I discovered today that the slaves were plotting an insurrection. I found some knives, stones and a chisel. I put four boys in irons and thumbscrews to urge them into a confession. From Captain John Newton’s diary. The Africans armed themselves with various weapons. They came in crowds on our men and attacked them unaware. The stabbed the stoutest one of us. He received 15 wounds. Next they assaulted the boatswain (supervisor) and cut one of his legs to the bone right through the nerve. Another cut the cook’s throat and threw a sailor overboard. This rebellion was immediately put down. Many of the mutineers leapt overboard and drowned themselves.

There were frequent uprisings but most were prevented There were frequent uprisings but most were prevented. Some succeeded and killed the whole crew, but only a few. When the leaders of these were quizzed they asked us what business we had to take them from their country. That they had wives and children in Africa. In the latest insurrection, we lost 100 slaves who have jumped overboard. Most were recovered but three chose death rather than come back onboard.

Task: Apply your new knowledge Middle Passage Diary Entry. You should write a diary entry for an African on the middle passage between Africa and the West Indies. You should include; Boarding the ship Conditions on board Daily Routine Disease Rebellions 10 marks available – 1 for every factually correct point.

Slave Auctions Lesson starter Describe how an auction works. What type of slaves do you think would be most valuable? Why?

I can… We are learning to… Explain how a slave auction worked Write a description of a slave auction

Background At the end of the middle passage the slaves would arrive in the West Indies/ America They were sold by auction (to the highest bidder) Those who were not sold were sold at a scramble – buyers rushed forward to grab the ‘lot’ they wanted to buy Posters advertising slave auctions would go up as soon as ships arrived

Task One Review the sources, and write down 1/2 key points that you notice for each. e.g. what else was being sold at the auctions? What sort of information was being advertised? What is the language like?

Key points from sources Slaves advertised as –’negroes’ Posters in English – English speaking buyers Young men most valuable Skills made slaves more valuable – carpenter etc Sold at the same time as goods and tools Described as ‘gangs’, ‘cargo’ - dehumanised Given English names

Preparing the slaves for sale It was important that slaves looked as healthy and fit as possible so they would fetch the highest prices Slaves were; Washed with water Rubbed with palm oil Wounds from the middle passage were filled up – with tar, gunpowder or rust Slaves with grey hairs had their heads shaved Slaves who were sick were treated brutally to hide signs of illness – tar was put inside their anus to hide diarrhoea for example

How the auctions worked – in detail In the auction, an auctioneer sold the slaves individually or in lots (as a group), with the slaves being sold to the highest bidder. The other method was the scramble. Here the slaves were kept together in an enclosure. Buyers paid the captain a fixed sum beforehand. Once all the buyers had paid, the enclosure gate was thrown open and the buyers rushed in together and grabbed the slaves they wanted. This was often a terrifying experience for the slaves. Slaves left behind were called ‘refuse’. They were sold cheaply to anyone who would take them. Any that couldn’t be sold were left at the coast to die http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zqv7hyc/revision/10 – 2 minute Bitesize Clip showing key points http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05jtVXAih-s – showing how female slaves were inspected and sold -2 minutes

Clips http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/clips/zbttsbk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfw9mLjh7YM

Task Task One Write an eyewitness account of a slave auction It should Include a description of the ‘lots’ for sale Explain how the sale works Describe what happens to the slaves who are not sold