1. THE PLAGUE A.K.A THE BLACK DEATH
“I didn’t do it...it wasn’t my fault...I’m too cute to take the rap for this!” 1

2. The Plague
From 1300 to 1450, over 25 million people, between half and two thirds of Europe’s population died due to famine, war, and the Black Death 2

3. The Plague
The Black Death, spread in part by fleas and rats, swept through Europe in the mid-1300’s, killing people left and right 3

4. The Plague
This was a brutal way to die, with huge sores, diarrhea, coughing up blood, and horrible pain 4

5. The Plague

6. THE PLAGUE AND THE FALL OF THE CHURCH
As the monarchs of Europe gained power, the Church continued to lose influence and the Crusades were unsuccessful
Still, people wanted to believe in the guidance and knowledge of the Church, and were stunned by a sudden and massive loss of life due to the Plague 6

7. 2.5 BEGINNINGS OF SLAVERY IN THE AMERICAS - BIG IDEAS
Why it began? European diseases wiped out much of the Native American population, causing colonists to look for a new labor force, and Africans were immune to European diseases due to proximity, trade, etc.
Europeans enslaved millions of Africans and sent them to work across Europe, in the West Indies, South America, and in the American Colonies
Slaves in the Americas created a distinct culture

8. KINGDOMS OF WEST AFRICA
GHANA - rose due to gold and salt trade
MALI - rose due to location on Niger; Muslim roots in Africa
SONGHAI - conquered by Mali, rose due to Mali’s fall, set up government, schools, systems
Eventually slave trade replaced other forms - Africans were rounded up by other Africans within these kingdoms and sold into slavery to the Arab and European slave traders
Trading was often done for metals, jewels - selling fellow Africans into slavery was often a large part of African economy

9. THE NEED FOR A NEW LABOR FORCE
Immune
Colonists had natural resistance to diseases common in Europe like measles, smallpox, and typhus
Who wasn’t immune? Native Americans - wiped out many
Need for Cheap Labor
Slaves from West Africa - short passage, large number, natural resistance

10. THE SLAVE TRADE
Spanish government legalized sale of slaves in the colonies (1510)
The Middle Passage
The terrible voyage across the Atlantic Ocean enslaved Africans were forced to endure
4 x 4 feet box to travel in
1 out of 6 died

11. THE SLAVE TRADE African Diaspora:
Enslaved Africans were sent all across the New World forming new communities in places like The Colonies, Europe, etc.
How many Africans were displaced through Diaspora:
4 million in Brazil
2 million in New Spain
3 million in British and French colonies in Caribbean and Latin America
Over 600,000 in Britain’s North American colonies

12. Where did they end up?

13. SLAVE CULTURE IN THE AMERICAS
Family
Vital part of slave culture
Provided a refuge, a place not fully under the slaveholders’ control
Faced many challenges, including being broken apart

14. SLAVE CULTURE IN THE AMERICAS
Religion
Christianity blended with traditional African elements
Gave sense of self-worth and hope
Spirituals were a common form of religious expression
Used songs and folktales to tell their stories of hope, sorrow, agony, and joy

15. SLAVE CULTURE IN THE AMERICAS
Art and Dance
Form of expression
Dances were important social events in slave communities
Heavily influenced by African traditions