Honors notes: Chapter #18, Section #3: The Atlantic Slave Trade
Download 17.32 Kb.
|
| HONORS
NOTES: Chapter #18, Section #3: The Atlantic Slave Trade History of Slavery: Slavery had existed throughout the world, including Africa, for centuries Slavery spread throughout Africa during the 7th century African rulers justified slavery with the Muslim belief that non-Muslim prisoners of war could be sold as slaves. Between the 7th and 17th centuries, more than 4.8 million Africans (mostly prisoners of war and criminals) were sent to Muslim lands in Southwest Asia where they worked as domestic servants. Slavery in Africa was commonplace but it was not hereditary; the children of slaves were born as free persons. African slaves had limited legal rights and could even escape slavery, sometimes by marrying into the family that they served. Muslim slaves could serve as generals in the army, buy property, and even own their own slaves. The Atlantic Slave Trade Begins The first Europeans to explore Africa were the Portuguese during the 1400s (wanted to establish a gold trade). When the Native American population became severely depleted during the 16th century, the Portuguese looked to Africa to supply their new labor force to work their plantations. The Portuguese choose the Africans for several reasons: Africans had previous contact with Europeans and many had built immunity to certain European diseases. Many Africans had farming experience and could easily be taught how to work on large plantations. Africans were not familiar with the land in the Americans and would be less likely to try to escape. The Atlantic Slave Trade transported approximately 9.5 million Africans to the Americans between the 16th century and the year 1870. Slavery Spreads Throughout the Americas Spain: the Spanish began enslaving Africans as early as 1511 when they brought a small number of Africans to work in the copper mines in Hispaniola. By 1650, almost 300,000 Africans had been brought to the Americas to work on Spanish plantations. Portugal: during the 1600s, Brazil became the leading producer of sugar for Europe. During the 17th century, more than 40% of all African slaves were sent to Brazil to work the sugar plantations. By the end of the Atlantic slave trade in 1870, Brazil had received over 3.6 million Africans, more than 10 times the number of Africans brought to North America. England: as the English became to dominate North America, they also took control of the Atlantic slave trade. Between 1609 and 1807 when England abolished the slave trade, the English transported more than 1.7 million Africans to their colonies throughout the West Indies, with approximately 400,000 Africans sent to North America. United States: after the slave trade ended, the slave population in America continued to increase. By the year 1830, there were approximately 2 million slaves living in the United States. Africa’s Participation in the Slave Trade Many African rulers who had sold African slaves to Muslims and other African rulers saw no difference in selling their people to Europeans. African merchants and local African rulers would capture Africans to be enslaved and then bring them to European merchants in the ports along the western and eastern coasts of Africa. In exchange for delivering people to be sold into slavery, African merchants received gold, weapons and other manufactured goods from the Europeans. As the slave trade began to expand, many African rulers, some who had previously participated in the slave trade, began to voice opposition to the selling of the African people to the Europeans (example- King Affonso of the Congo); many African merchants simply established different trade routes to avoid the African rulers who opposed the slave trade. The Journey to the Americas African slaves were transported in ships across the Atlantic in a trading network that was known as the triangular trade which crisscrossed the Northern and Southern colonies, the West Indies, England, continental Europe, and Africa. Along the trade routes, Africans were often exchanged for items such as furs, fruit, tar, and tobacco. The voyage that the African slaves traveled was known as the middle passage Millions of Africans died on the voyage because of the conditions on the ships. Most Europeans would pack the Africans into dark cargo areas of the ships and tie them to the floor, the walls, as well as other Africans. Many people died from diseases that swept through the ships as well as from beatings and starvation. Many others would commit suicide by jumping into the ocean. Approximately 20% of the people aboard each slave ship died before reaching the Americas. Slavery in the Americas Upon arrival in the Americas, the Africans were auctioned to the highest bidder. After being sold, slaves worked in mines or in the plantation fields or as domestic servants. Most slaves were forced to live in small huts with very little food. Slaves were forced to work long, hard days and often suffered beatings and whippings. Slavery was a lifelong condition and was hereditary. Many slaves embraced traditions such as music and stories of their ancestors to keep their cultural identity. Some Africans would resist slavery by breaking tools, uprooting plants, working slowly, or running away. Some Africans even openly revolted against their owners (Stono Rebellion-SC 1739) Impact of Slavery Slave trade devastated Africans societies and culture. Slave trade introduced guns into Africa which would be used to help spread war and conflict throughout the region. African slaves contributed greatly to the economic growth of many Western nations. Africans introduced their culture into American society (including music, art, and food) The intermarriage of Africans with the people of North and South America created a new blended-heritage population. Directory: cms -> lib011 -> NJ01912813 -> Centricity -> Domain -> 417 cms -> Haiti Relief – esf 15 Support Organization Situation Report # 17 1/28/10 lib011 -> Accelerated reader lib011 -> Information technology 417 -> Readings- the 1920s (hw 3/24- due Mon 3/27) amsco- the Era of the 1920s lib011 -> CH. 16 Class work lesson 5 The Union Closes In lib011 -> Lesson 3 Americans Join the Allies Supplying the Allies Pgs. 670 – 674 lib011 -> Program of Studies Book (Scheduling) Grove City Area Senior High School lib011 -> 16. 1 Why Is Energy Efficiency an Important Energy Resource? Download 17.32 Kb. Share with your friends:
|