Transatlantic Slave Trade
1. Transatlantic Slave Trade
What is it: The Slave Trade was a cycle in which Europe would give goods
to African Empires in exchange for people (slaves), these slaves were then
transported to the Americas on cargo ships and once in the Americas they
would work on plantations.
Definition of slavery: when one person owns another human being as a
property. They have no rights to their own body and money and have to
work long hours with no pay
Europe gives goods -> Africa gives slaves -> The Americas give goods
back to Europe
Few points:
The removal of Africans from their homes
African empires would promote this
In exchange for guns and materials that would help African empires
technologically advance
Labour needed in the Americas to facilitate the harvest of cash
crops like sugar canes, tobaccos and cotton.
The Middle Passage - from Africa to the Americas (only time slaves were
transported in the slave trade)
Lasted between 6-12 weeks
Tried to cram on more ‘stock’ because that meant more sales
2 types of methods:
Tight pack: crammed and stacked into the ship, less survived
Loose pack - more space to breathe and more survived
1525-1866
Boarding took weeks to months
, Shaved and stripped of clothing
Disease: malaria, smallpox, etc
Forced exercise (to keep fit for auctions)
Only ate rice and beans
Many people died, some committed suicide
The crew mistreated the slaves, especially women
E.g Trial of Zong
2. Experiences of Slaves in The
Americas
Main topics:
Auctions
Punishments
Runaway
Westernisation
Plantation life & treatments (e.g work, food, sleep)
Auctions:
Before auctions slaves would be shaved, washed and would have oil
put on them to make their muscles look bigger
Highest bidder: slave was sold to the buyer offering the highest
price
Grab and go: buyers bought tickets and then grabbed slaves and
checked them out with the tickets. Slaves were often frightened as
they did not know what was happening
The auctions were often cruel as when buyers inspected them they
would violate them by poking, prodding and opening their mouths.
Punishments:
Whipping
1. Transatlantic Slave Trade
What is it: The Slave Trade was a cycle in which Europe would give goods
to African Empires in exchange for people (slaves), these slaves were then
transported to the Americas on cargo ships and once in the Americas they
would work on plantations.
Definition of slavery: when one person owns another human being as a
property. They have no rights to their own body and money and have to
work long hours with no pay
Europe gives goods -> Africa gives slaves -> The Americas give goods
back to Europe
Few points:
The removal of Africans from their homes
African empires would promote this
In exchange for guns and materials that would help African empires
technologically advance
Labour needed in the Americas to facilitate the harvest of cash
crops like sugar canes, tobaccos and cotton.
The Middle Passage - from Africa to the Americas (only time slaves were
transported in the slave trade)
Lasted between 6-12 weeks
Tried to cram on more ‘stock’ because that meant more sales
2 types of methods:
Tight pack: crammed and stacked into the ship, less survived
Loose pack - more space to breathe and more survived
1525-1866
Boarding took weeks to months
, Shaved and stripped of clothing
Disease: malaria, smallpox, etc
Forced exercise (to keep fit for auctions)
Only ate rice and beans
Many people died, some committed suicide
The crew mistreated the slaves, especially women
E.g Trial of Zong
2. Experiences of Slaves in The
Americas
Main topics:
Auctions
Punishments
Runaway
Westernisation
Plantation life & treatments (e.g work, food, sleep)
Auctions:
Before auctions slaves would be shaved, washed and would have oil
put on them to make their muscles look bigger
Highest bidder: slave was sold to the buyer offering the highest
price
Grab and go: buyers bought tickets and then grabbed slaves and
checked them out with the tickets. Slaves were often frightened as
they did not know what was happening
The auctions were often cruel as when buyers inspected them they
would violate them by poking, prodding and opening their mouths.
Punishments:
Whipping
