2. The Slave Trade

3. In Context over time Most human societies have had slaves Africans had practiced slavery and sold slaves for centuries oTrans-Saharan trade took slaves to Mediterranean world oEast African slave trade as well

5. Slavery took many forms Often assimilated into owner’s households Children of slaves were sometimes free Islamic world preferred female slaves Atlantic trade favored males Not all slaves had lowly positions –E–Ex. Muslim world many slaves had military or political status

6. Distinctiveness of slavery in Americas Scale and importance was enormous Largely based on plantation agriculture Slaves denied any rights at all Slave status was inherited Widespread slavery in a society that valued freedom and equality Slavery wholly identified with Africa and ‘blackness’

8. Origins of Atlantic slavery Lay in Mediterranean and with sugar Sugar production was first ‘modern’ industry –Major capital investment, technology, disciplined workers, mass market Work very difficult and dangerous therefore slaves were ideal

10. Mediterranean plantations At first, Slavs from Black Sea area provided most slaves for sugar plantations Portuguese found and an alternative slave source in West Africa Slavs weren’t available Natives died of European diseases Christians ‘couldn’t’ be enslaved Indentured servants were expensive