Chapter 2 Middle Passage

I. European Exploration ~ Colonization Western European countries expand during 15th century –Explore, conquer, and colonize –Trade Eastern markets of India, China, and Japan New World –Demand for laborers led to Atlantic slave trade

II. The Slave Trade in Africa Ancient and universal phenomena African kingdoms and Islamic nations conduct brisk commerce –Not race based Arab merchants and West African kings imported white slaves from Europe –West African slave trade dealt mainly in women and children who would serve as concubines and servants European demand for agricultural laborers changed slave trading patterns

III. The Origins of the Atlantic Slave Trade In 15th century, slaves used as domestic servants on Iberian Peninsula Other European countries had large work forces and little need for slaves Purchased from African traders –Portugal and Spain dominated slave trade in 16th century –Dutch dominated 17th century –English dominated 18th century

IV. Growth of the Atlantic Slave Trade Demand for labor in 16th century Spanish gold and silver mines Portuguese sugar plantations Tobacco, rice and indigo SEE Figure 2-1 and Table 2-1

Growth of the Atlantic Slave Trade (cont.) Harsher in the Americas –Based on race –Most were males Believed they were stronger laborers than females West African women did farm work –Often withheld from trade –Agricultural workers –Chattel Lost rights as human beings

Growth of the Atlantic Slave Trade (cont.) Triangle trade and profits –See Map 2-3 –Slave, tobacco, and sugar profits funded Industrial Revolution

V. The African-American Ordeal: Capture to Destination Slavery: byproduct of war between kingdoms European traders provided firearms –Did not instigate fighting

The African-American Ordeal: Capture to Destination (cont.) High mortality –Exhaustion, suicide, murder –Long, forced marches from interior to coast Factories served as –Headquarters for traders –Warehouses for trade goods –Pens or dungeons for captives

The Crossing Canary Islands to the Windward Islands 40 to 180 days to reach the Caribbean Pirates attacked Spanish ships Frightening experience

The Slavers Small and narrow ships Two slaves per ship-tonnage formula Most captains were “tight packers” –Ignored formula in the name of profits

The Slavers (cont.) Crowded, unsanitary conditions – Slaves rode on planks 66” x 15” only 20”– 25” of headroom –Males chained together in pairs –Kept apart from women and children –High mortality rates One-third perish between capture and embarkation

A Slave’s Story Olaudah Equiano –Writes autobiography of his capture/voyage Conditions Suicides Smells Feedings –See VOICES

A Captain’s Story John Newton –Evangelical Christian –Slaver captain –Anglican priest Repentance Amazing Grace

Provisions for the Middle Passage Slaves fed twice per day –Poor and insufficient diet Vegetable pulps, stews, and fruits Denied meat or fish Ten people eating from one bucket Unwashed hands spread disease Malnutrition, weakness, depression, death

Sanitation, Disease, and Death Astronomically high before 1750 –Poor sanitation No germ theory prior to early 20th century Malaria, yellow fever, smallpox, dysentery After 1750 –Faster ships –Hygiene and diet better understood –Early forms of smallpox vaccinations

Resistance and Revolt at Sea Uprisings were common –Most rebellions before sailing –Some preferred death to bondage –Justification for harsh treatment by slavers

Cruelty Middle passage horrors exaggerated – Historian Eric Williams Cultural context Exceptionally cruel –Slaves had half the space allowed indentured servants and convicts –Slavery suitable only for non-Christians –Brutal treatment by crew members

African Women on Slave Ships Less protection against unwanted sexual attention from European men African women worth half the price of African men in the Caribbean markets Separation from male slaves made them easier targets Historian Barbara Bush –Middle passage horrors depressed sex drives

VI. Landing and Sale in the West Indies Pre-sale –Bathed and exercised –Oiled bodies to conceal blemishes and bruises –Hemp plugs

VII. Seasoning Modify behavior and attitude Preparation for North American planters

VII. Seasoning ( cont.) Creoles –slaves born in the Americas –worth three times price of unseasoned Africans Old Africans –Lived in the Americas for some time New Africans –Had just survived the middle passage Creoles and Old Africans instruct New Africans

VIII. The End of the Journey Survival –One-third died Men died at a greater rate than women –Adapted to new foods –Learned a new language Creole dialect well enough to obey commands –Psychological ~ no longer suicidal Africans retained culture despite the hardships and cruel treatment Created bonds with shipmates that replaced blood kinship

IX. The Ending of the Atlantic Slave Trade Cruelties help end Atlantic slave trade –English abolitionists Thomas Clarkson, William Wilberforce, and Granville Sharp Moral crusade and economy less dependent on slave trade Great Britain bans Atlantic slave trade in 1807 Patrols African coast to enforce United States Congress outlaws slave trade in 1808 Guinea and western central African kingdoms oppose banning slave trade

X. Conclusion Nine to eleven million Africans brought to the Americas during three centuries of trade –Millions more died –Most arrived between 1701 and 1810 –Only 600,000 reached the British colonies of North America