1. Slavery in the New World

3. “Contraband Gordon” – escaped slavery, fled to Union Army lines, 1863

5. Still shot from “Quilombo” (1984)

9. Slavery and its impact
Built by slaves:

10. Named after slaves
The Guinea – a British coin named for the area where they got the slaves.

11. Founded on slavery’s profits
Brown University Yale University

12. Written by a slave trader

13. Written about a slave trader

14. 1700s
New York City
One third of the city’s population enslaved.
Boston
One fourth.
Slavery was NEVER simply a Southern problem.

15. Why Learn about New World Slavery?
Extraordinary human suffering.
It is the key to the making of the modern world.
Responsible for the creation of modern racial identities.
“western civilization” depended on New World slavery.

16. American history was shaped by the institution of slavery.
Slavery has left us with lasting legacies.
Racism
Prejudice
Social inequality
Underdevelopment.

17. Slavery’s Myths Slavery is the peculiar institution.
Most labor in history has been coerced.
1066 – 10% of England enslaved.
½ of Ancient Rome and Greece.
Found in Indian, Chinese, Islamic, Native American societies.

18. New World Slavery was different though.
Based on race.
Access to freedom.
Status in society.
Slavery as the KEY labor component.

19. The Canary Islands

21. Why Africa? Europe was cut off from east.
Existing system of slavery in Africa

22. Questions about slavery
How Many?
How Captured?
Why Africa?
What was the impact on Africa?

23. 12-16 million arrived in New World.
1. How many?
Toni Morrison’s Beloved says “60 million gone.”
12-16 million arrived in New World.
BUT
1500s and 1600s - 20% died en route.
1700s to 15% died en route.
So 3 to 4 million died along the way.

24. 12-16 million arrive
+ 3 to 4 million dead=
15-20 million.

25. BUT… ½ never got on a ship.
Factories
Coffles
So we’re talking about another million

26. 30 to 40 million. 15-20 million put on ships
who never got on a ship =
30 to 40 million.

27. BUT…
20 million Africans were transported to slavery in North Africa, the Persian Gulf, and India (combined).
SO….

28. 50 to 60 million 15-20 million transported to NW +
15-20 million dead before transport +
20 million sent elsewhere =
50 to 60 million

29. 2. How Captured? Most (about ½) were Prisoners of War.
Judicial proceedings.
European trade (guns, manufactured goods) fed into the system.

30. 3. WHY Africa?
Existing system in place.
Political fragmentation.

31. 4. What was the impact on Africa?
Massive depopulation and skewed sex ratios.
Destruction of native industry.
Political instability.

32. The Middle Passage
The forced removal of up to 60 million Africans to the New World.

33. 6’in length for men; 16” in width, 2.7” in depth
5’10” for women.
5’4” for boys, 4’6” for girls.
“room” for 450 – actually loaded: 600+

34. The Zong

35. Only 6% of enslaved Africans came to what would become the United States.
The largest enslaved population was in the United States.
How is this?

36. Unequal sex ratios Caribbean islands wanted men.
Britain’s colonies took what was available – so they took women as well.
Results:
Initially the Caribbean islands had a larger slave population.
More revolts and runaways.

37. Maroon Communities Palmares Seminoles Present day Brazil.
30,000 inhabitants.
Seminoles

38. The next story of slavery – resistance that created America
American English – uh-huh, uh-uh, yam, jazz – All African origin.
Cuisine – fricassees, deep frying, yams, rice.
Music – banjo, jazz, yodeling, falsetto, “spirituals.”
Religion – call and response, spirituality.

39. African Religion Non-exclusive. Eclectic. No authoritative texts.
Practiced syncretization - The selective fusion or blending of elements of two or more separate cultures or practices to form something new

40. More influences Architecture – porches, frame construction.
Rice cultivation.