Do Now: In a couple of sentences, write what this person might be thinking or saying

The African Slave Trade

Thoughts? 250 or 600? As a captain of a slave ship, with only profit in mind, do you carry pack the ship with 600 or more slaves or carry a much smaller amount of slaves? As a captain of a slave ship, with only profit in mind, do you carry pack the ship with 600 or more slaves or carry a much smaller amount of slaves?

'It was not atypical to see a massive school of sharks darting in and out of the wake of the ships filled with human cargo plying the Atlantic. For miles they followed the battered and moldy vessels, waiting to attack the disease-ravaged black bodies that were periodically tossed into the ocean... 'It was not atypical to see a massive school of sharks darting in and out of the wake of the ships filled with human cargo plying the Atlantic. For miles they followed the battered and moldy vessels, waiting to attack the disease-ravaged black bodies that were periodically tossed into the ocean... If the Atlantic were to dry up, it would reveal a scattered pathway of human bones, African bones marking the various routes of the Middle Passage.' If the Atlantic were to dry up, it would reveal a scattered pathway of human bones, African bones marking the various routes of the Middle Passage.'

Background Before the arrival of the Europeans, it is estimated over 1 million people lived in Cuba—25 years later, only 2,500 were left. Before the arrival of the Europeans, it is estimated over 1 million people lived in Cuba—25 years later, only 2,500 were left million natives million million natives million Europeans needed labor to harvest the natural resources they wanted—ex— sugar cane, cotton, tobacco, indigo. Europeans needed labor to harvest the natural resources they wanted—ex— sugar cane, cotton, tobacco, indigo.

Why Africans? Easily brought from the African coast as opposed to from anywhere else Easily brought from the African coast as opposed to from anywhere else More immune to European disease than indigenous peoples More immune to European disease than indigenous peoples advanced societies/skilled craftsmen advanced societies/skilled craftsmen

The Middle Passage The part of the journey when slaves were transported across the Atlantic to arrive at the Caribbean, Brazil, and North America. The part of the journey when slaves were transported across the Atlantic to arrive at the Caribbean, Brazil, and North America.

The Journey Slaves captured in Africa and marched to the West coast—often a 1,000 mile march called death marches Slaves captured in Africa and marched to the West coast—often a 1,000 mile march called death marches Roughly 42% went to the Caribbean, 38% went to Brazil, and 5% went to North America Roughly 42% went to the Caribbean, 38% went to Brazil, and 5% went to North America Most journeys from Africa to North America took 2-3 months-roughly 54,000 journeys Most journeys from Africa to North America took 2-3 months-roughly 54,000 journeys Ships carried from slaves Ships carried from slaves

Conditions Packed in like spoons—they could not even turn—if lucky they had a space about 4 feet wide and 5 feet high Packed in like spoons—they could not even turn—if lucky they had a space about 4 feet wide and 5 feet high The slave hold would stink of urine, feces, and vomit The slave hold would stink of urine, feces, and vomit Food usually served one bucket per ten men—led to fighting and infection Food usually served one bucket per ten men—led to fighting and infection Maybe allowed out twice a week for exercise Maybe allowed out twice a week for exercise

Slaves packed below deck

Slave muzzle

Conditions Slaves would be oiled upon their arrival to make their skin look healthier Slaves would be oiled upon their arrival to make their skin look healthier Scars from whipping would be filled in with hot tar as best as possible Scars from whipping would be filled in with hot tar as best as possible The stench from the slave ships would be so bad, that they would dock farther out and wait for smaller boats to pick up the cargo The stench from the slave ships would be so bad, that they would dock farther out and wait for smaller boats to pick up the cargo

Causes of death Leading cause was dysentery Leading cause was dysentery Second leading cause was smallpox Second leading cause was smallpox Third leading cause was simply misery—feelings of sheer depression and hopelessness led to willing themselves to die Third leading cause was simply misery—feelings of sheer depression and hopelessness led to willing themselves to die Massive # of suicides Massive # of suicides

How many? The true numbers may never be known—between million people were taken from Africa between the 15 th and 19 th century—at least 10-20% died in transit The true numbers may never be known—between million people were taken from Africa between the 15 th and 19 th century—at least 10-20% died in transit

What you had to look forward to— plantation life Branding—”estate marks” in case you tried to run away Branding—”estate marks” in case you tried to run away Field work or maybe working in the boiler houses to extract sugar from the cane Field work or maybe working in the boiler houses to extract sugar from the cane A life of endless toil and labor A life of endless toil and labor

A boiler house

What do you think?—slave ship Zong Slave ship has outbreak of slave disease and lack of water—captain decides to throw most slaves (living) overboard Slave ship has outbreak of slave disease and lack of water—captain decides to throw most slaves (living) overboard Cargo (slaves) were insured only if slaves were lost through drowning, not disease. Cargo (slaves) were insured only if slaves were lost through drowning, not disease. Ships owner wanted compensation for the lost cargo since they did drown and did not actually die from illness. Ships owner wanted compensation for the lost cargo since they did drown and did not actually die from illness.

What do you think?—slave ship Zong Jury rules in favor since you are allowed to kill animals for the safety of the ship. Jury rules in favor since you are allowed to kill animals for the safety of the ship. Case was retried and the court decided the slaves were people— landmark decision Case was retried and the court decided the slaves were people— landmark decision

Fighting back There were often attempts at mutinies, but few met with success. There were often attempts at mutinies, but few met with success. Amistad is an exception—1839, a ship filled with 53 slaves is headed for a Cuban port. Amistad is an exception—1839, a ship filled with 53 slaves is headed for a Cuban port. They revolt, kill the captain, and take over the ship They revolt, kill the captain, and take over the ship

Mutiny on the Amistad

Amistad Crew steers the ship towards the United States and the Africans are taken into custody—Africans thought they were going back to Africa. Crew steers the ship towards the United States and the Africans are taken into custody—Africans thought they were going back to Africa. After a lengthy Supreme Court case, the slaves are pronounced free and allowed to return to Africa. After a lengthy Supreme Court case, the slaves are pronounced free and allowed to return to Africa.

The British abolished the slave trade in 1807 and abolished slavery completely in all of their colonies on July 31, The British abolished the slave trade in 1807 and abolished slavery completely in all of their colonies on July 31, Most of the Northern states voluntarily abolished slavery by Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 to finally end slavery in the United States. Most of the Northern states voluntarily abolished slavery by Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 to finally end slavery in the United States. Emancipation Proclamation Emancipation Proclamation The last Spanish colonies to abolish slavery in the America's were Puerto Rico and Cuba in 1873 and 1880 respectively. Brazil became the last nation in the Americas to abolish slavery on May 13, The last Spanish colonies to abolish slavery in the America's were Puerto Rico and Cuba in 1873 and 1880 respectively. Brazil became the last nation in the Americas to abolish slavery on May 13, 1888.