Atlantic Slave Trade 1770- 1807

Becoming a Slave

LEARNING INTENTIONS Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807 Describe the different reasons that people became slaves Describe the organisation of the slave trade, including the role of slave factories in Africa

Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807 Millions of Africans became slaves in the Americas. However, how did they become slaves in the first place? What was the role of Europeans and what part did Africans play?

Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807 When slavery first started, Europeans would go into parts of Africa and simply kidnap people. This worked for a long time although it required a great deal of work. Europeans soon found a simpler way.

Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807 African middlemen soon began to sell other Africans. This helped some tribes become very rich, including the Fante and Ashanti. There were many reasons that one African would sell another into slavery.

Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807 Many slaves were prisoners of war, sold by the winning side. Other slaves were simply kidnapped by rival tribes. Some Africans had broken the law and were sold as punishment. Some Africans were sold to pay off a debt.

Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807 Gangs of slave hunters (made of Europeans or Africans) would hunt Africans to be sold into slavery. Africans who lived in villages near the coast were an easy target for kidnappers, meaning many tribes moved to inland Africa.

Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807 Kidnapped Africans often faced a long and difficult walk back to the coast, although kidnappers were sometimes on horses. Not only was it a long walk in extremely hot weather, but they were made to wear chains to stop them running away. Many slaves died on this journey.

Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807 After capture, Africans would usually be taken to slave factories, which were found on the African coast. These were locations (often forts) were slaves were held before being sent on a ship to the Americas. They were run by a factor.

Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807 Conditions in slave factories were very poor. Slaves were expected to work when in the factory e.g. grow food. Slaves could be held for months at a time, and disease was common. In the 1770s, almost half of slaves in factories died before transportation.

President Obama at ‘Door of no return’ on Goree Island, Senegal (2013).

Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807 After being held in slave factories, Africans who survived were then sent to the Americas on slave ships. They would be taken to the boat – often in chains – and put on-board the ship, never to see their homeland again.