Triangular Trade and the Middle Passage

Big Ideas of the Lesson Using multiple sources can help us better understand the terrible conditions of the Middle Passage and slavery Enslaved Africans were forced into ships and across the Middle Passage to the Americas. The Middle Passage was part of the triangle trade routes during colonial times. Conditions aboard the slave ships were horrible. Many Africans died on the voyage. People like merchants, plantation owners, and shipping companies benefited from the slave trade but there were terrible costs of African cultures and Africans.

Sources Historians use to Make Sense of the Past Letters Diaries Photographs Historic Maps Artifacts

Word Card #12: Slavery Definition: A system that forced people to work and treated enslaved people as property.

Slavery in the Colonies Enslaved Africans were brought to New Spain to work in mines and on plantations. Enslaved Africans were also forced to work on plantations in Louisiana which was part of New France. The first Africans were brought to Jamestown in 1619. Slavery was not allowed at first in Georgia but then the king took over and it was allowed and encouraged.

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World Card #13: Triangular Trade Definition: Trade patterns connecting the Colonies, Europe, Africa and the West Indies. Example: Triangular trade patterns were used to bring enslaved Africans to the Americas.

What Was Traded? Ships from New England carried fish, lumber and other goods to the West Indies. West Indies: the islands between North and South America in the Caribbean Sea.

New England Colonies West Indies Ships from New England carried fish, lumber and other goods to the West Indies. In the West Indies, these New England traders bought sugar and molasses, which was a dark brown syrup made from sugar cane sugar. West Indies

Ships then sailed back to New England where colonists used the molasses and sugar to make rum.

Ships carried the rum as well as other goods such as cloth and tools to West Africa.

Question: What do you think these goods were traded for in West Africa?

Enslaved Africans In West Africa, these goods were traded for Enslaved Africans. Ships then took enslaved Africans to the West Indies where they were sold. The money was used to by more molasses and sugar.

Interactive Map of Triangular Trade Click Here to see the Map!

Word Card #14: Middle Passage Definition: the route used to take enslaved Africans across the Atlantic from Africa to the Americas. Example: The Middle Passage was a horrible experience for the enslaved Africans.

Underwater Sculpture in Grenada (West Indies) Honoring the Enslaved Africans

After a long and difficult journey from the interior of Africa to the coast, enslaved Africans were forced to wait in dungeons or other prison-type areas. Waiting lasted weeks, months and sometimes as long as a year.

Enslaved people were commonly branded with the imprint of the French, English or Dutch company that had purchased them.

When the slave ships arrived, the enslaved people were forced onboard into cramped living quarters beneath the decks where there was little ventilation and no sanitary facilities. There was no place for standing. People were chained together on their backs.

What consequences do you think slavery had on the cultures of Africa? Families were broken apart Villages lost large numbers of people Cultures lost farmers, artists and leaders Farming, trading and other activities were completely disrupted Conflicts rose between African cultures over slavery The population in many areas went down drastically