 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? To study sources in order gain a detailed picture of living & working conditions for slaves  Aims

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 look for evidence of the following: Types of jobs Types of jobs Health of slaves Health of slaves Methods of control Methods of control

 Writing task Write a third entry in your diary describing life on the plantations. Use evidence from the sources and the video clip and any other knowledge you have to provide as much detail as you can. Write a third entry in your diary describing life on the plantations. Use evidence from the sources and the video clip and any other knowledge you have to provide as much detail as you can.

 Extension task Look back at your notes on the transatlantic voyage to the West Indies from West Africa. Were the conditions slaves lived and worked under in places like Jamaica better or worse than those they faced on board the merchants’ ships? Look back at your notes on the transatlantic voyage to the West Indies from West Africa. Were the conditions slaves lived and worked under in places like Jamaica better or worse than those they faced on board the merchants’ ships?