starter activity Slaves waiting for the auction to begin. Imagine you are one of the people waiting at auction. List the thoughts that are going through your mind.
What were conditions like on the plantations?
How were slaves prepared for auction? Washed with water Washed with water Rubbed with oil Rubbed with oil Gunpowder, hot tar or rust rubbed into wounds Gunpowder, hot tar or rust rubbed into wounds Teeth inspected Teeth inspected Brutal remedies, e.g. for diarrhoea Brutal remedies, e.g. for diarrhoea Two methods of sale – auction & scramble Two methods of sale – auction & scramble What does this C19th poster tell us about the way slaves were treated by plantation owners?
What sort of lives did they lead? Branded on face, chest or back 3-4 year-olds work in ‘trash gangs’ (weeding) 9-12 year-olds work in fields with adults Elderly worked as domestic servants No legal rights – forbidden to read, write, marry own property Flogging & other punishments How would you feel if you were branded with one of these irons?
Punishments Rebellions – rebels nailed to ground, fire applied starting at the feet and moving upwards Rebellions – rebels nailed to ground, fire applied starting at the feet and moving upwards Running away – neck ring or iron muzzle Running away – neck ring or iron muzzle Continued running away – removal of hand or foot Continued running away – removal of hand or foot Flogging – one lash for each year of slave’s life Flogging – one lash for each year of slave’s life How old do you think this slave was? Average life expectancy was 26. Why do you think it was so low?
Working day 5:30 – go straight to field. Work until 8.00am. Latecomers whipped 5:30 – go straight to field. Work until 8.00am. Latecomers whipped 8:00 – Stop work for breakfast: boiled yam & okra seasoned with salt & pepper 8:00 – Stop work for breakfast: boiled yam & okra seasoned with salt & pepper 8:30 - Continue work 8:30 - Continue work 12:00 pm – Rest & lunch: salted meat or pickled fish 12:00 pm – Rest & lunch: salted meat or pickled fish 2:00pm – Start work again 2:00pm – Start work again 6:00pm – Return to huts 6:00pm – Return to huts Night time – During harvest, work in mill or boilings houses through night Night time – During harvest, work in mill or boilings houses through night
Your task Read through the sources and highlight evidence according to the key below. Do you think life on the plantations was any better than conditions slaves experienced during the middle passage?