Sugar & Tobacco large of workers needed – wanted to use Natives but died off – demand for cheap labor and turned to African slaves
The Causes of African Slavery
Around 1500 colonists in Americas began to use Africans on farms & plantations
Slavery in Africa Had existed for centuries – Islam in 7th century increased it – in 1000 years more than 17 million sent to N. Africa and Asia
In Muslims societies slaves had some standing – African societies could even escape slavery
The Demand for Africans Portuguese first came in 1400’s & were more interested in Gold trade – Colonization of Americas change that
Africans had built up immunities to European diseases – Experience in farming – less likely to escape
Atlantic Slave Trade – 1500-1600 300,000 transported – next century 1.3 million – by end more than 9.5 million
Spain and Portugal Lead the Way Spanish took lead in Caribbean & mainland – by 1650 nearly 300,000 in Spanish America
Portuguese exported even more to Brazil for Sugar plantations – more than 40% in 17th century
Slavery Spreads Throughout the Americas
England Dominates the Slave Trade 1690-1807 England led the trade – more than 1.7 million slaves to West Indies
400,000 sold to British American colonies – by 1830 population had grew to 2 million in US
African Cooperation and Resistance African leaders help capture and enslave and bring them to the coast to be traded – guns & manufactured goods
Some leaders spoke out – trade continued to grow because of huge profits
A Forced Journey
Millions of slaves died on transport to new world
The Triangular Trade Man. Goods to Africa from Europe – Africans to New World (middle passage) – Sugar, coffee & tobacco brought back to Europe
Rum and other goods from NE to Africa – Africans to West Indies for sugar & molasses – brought back to Colonies
Triangular Trade encompassed various routes
The Middle Passage
Middle Passage – held in dark unhealthy ships, whipped & beat – numerous died during transport 20%
Those who survived forced to work hard life – dealt with it in many ways
A Harsh Life Auctioned off upon arrival – worked in mines or fields w/ little food & worked long days & were beating
Resistance and Rebellion Based way of life on cultural heritage – kept stories and music traditions alive
Some resisted – 1522 a small revolt on Hispaniola – larger revolts also occurred throughout Spanish colonies
Others in brazil, West Indies & North America – Stono Rebellion
Consequences of the Slave Trade
Africans societies lost generations of people – families torn apart – guns introduced
Slaves greatest contribution to economy was labor – also brought expertise – also brought culture
Still have large African-American populations today