The Middle Passage and the Rise of Slavery in the Colonies THE SOUTH The Middle Passage and the Rise of Slavery in the Colonies

Do Now In a minute, I will ask you to complete a task. Do so quickly and quietly. FOCUS!!!!!!!! After the task is complete, you will return to your seats and answer the following questions: What sorts of emotions did you feel? How would you describe your physical state? If you were forced to stay like this for a longer period of time, how would you react? How long would be too long?

Economics vs. Humanity Why did slavery begin? Economic need Plantation wealth Understanding of Africans(?) Free!

The South: Plantation Economy Fertile soil allowed for the flourishing growth of cash crops such as tobacco, rice, and indigo. Instead of towns and cities, the South was mainly concentrated with plantations. Planters saw little need for shops, because all of what they produced on their farms could be used to sustain their families.

Indentured Servants Lowest class citizens– white men had no rights as servants Those who lived through their harsh years of labor (many didn’t) saw their lives improve only slightly. Bacon’s Rebellion – What do we remember about indentured servants’ lives post-servitude? Between 1/2 and 2/3 of all of the white male population were indentured servants Numbers declined Reports of hardship reached Europe Depleted labor force + Growing agricultural economy = ??????

Slavery in the New World Enslaving NA’s and indentured servants was failing – Colonists looked towards Africans Natives were: Reluctant to learn English labor techniques Could easily escape ECONOMICS: Slaves cost more than servants, but a slave worked for life. Much larger return for the “investment”

Slavery in the New World Most white colonists saw dark skin as a sign of inferiority. During the late 1600s, Africans were being used as slaves throughout the English West Indies colonies (Barbados, Jamaica) Imported to work on large, prosperous sugar plantations Good deal? Free labor, not humans PROPERTY

The Triangle Trade Africans had become part of the transatlantic trading network, the “Triangular Trade” Rum and other goods went from New England to Africa, received slaves in return Transported slaves to the West Indies and received sugar in return Shipped sugar to New England to turn into rum

Where did we buy slaves? Even after Europeans began transporting black slaves to America, most trade was just that: "trade" In most instances, the Europeans did not need to use any force to get those slaves. The slaves were sold more or less legally by their black “neighbors”. About 12,000,000 Africans were sold by Africans to Europeans before 1776.

How did they get here? The Middle Passage Horrors: Considered the “middle leg” of the transatlantic trade route. Horrors: Branded with hot irons for identification PACKED into dark holds of ships Disease Thrown overboard alive Lack of food/water Blood, sweat, vomit, urine, feces 20% of Africans perished on the journey. This is a BUSINESS!!! Needs to be run as efficiently as possible.

Statistics By 1690 13,000 slaves in the Southern colonies Slavery turned into an institution that would use cruelty to keep the Africans from rising against their owners. 80-90% worked in fields 10-20% worked in the house or as artisans

ALEXANDER FALCONBRIDGE OLAUDAH EQUIANO ALEXANDER FALCONBRIDGE Make a list of all horrible conditions found in the brief primary document. Share with the group nearest to you.

Homework SIGNED permission slip: AMISTAD VERY IMPORTANT!!!!