SlaverySlavery

The Atlantic SystemThe Atlantic System

Sub-Sahara AfricaSub-Sahara AfricaStarting in the 1400’s the west coast of Starting in the 1400’s the west coast of

Africa came under the influence of Africa came under the influence of European explorersEuropean explorers

First the Portuguese and later the First the Portuguese and later the Spanish, British, French and Dutch seized Spanish, British, French and Dutch seized cities, built fortresses, and established cities, built fortresses, and established permanent coloniespermanent colonies

Europeans began to exploit the natural Europeans began to exploit the natural resources of Africa such as gold, spices, resources of Africa such as gold, spices, ivory either through trade or forceivory either through trade or force

Sub-Sahara AfricaSub-Sahara Africa Soon Europeans found Soon Europeans found

the need for a new the need for a new natural resource in the natural resource in the New WorldNew World

With the plantation With the plantation system and the need for system and the need for labor which the Native labor which the Native Americans were Americans were unwilling to fulfill the unwilling to fulfill the Portuguese and later the Portuguese and later the other European nations other European nations found a need for slavesfound a need for slaves

West and Central AfricaWest and Central AfricaQuickly the number of slaves and slave Quickly the number of slaves and slave

ship increased from Africa to the New ship increased from Africa to the New WorldWorld

At first European nations only took slaves At first European nations only took slaves from the coastal areas because they were from the coastal areas because they were unable to gain entrance into the interiors unable to gain entrance into the interiors of Africa of Africa

By the mid-1800’s Europeans were able to By the mid-1800’s Europeans were able to explore and colonize the interior regions explore and colonize the interior regions of Africaof Africa

SonghaiSonghai

Askia MohammedAskia Mohammed

SonghaiSonghai As the Kingdom of Mali As the Kingdom of Mali

began to decline a new began to decline a new Askia Mohammed a Askia Mohammed a skilled general who skilled general who expanded the expanded the boundaries of Songhai boundaries of Songhai while also promoting while also promoting the arts and culture of the arts and culture of the Songhai Kingdomthe Songhai Kingdom

Songhai reached it’s Songhai reached it’s height between 1500 height between 1500 to 1590 to 1590

Kingdom of the KongoKingdom of the Kongo Another large and rich Another large and rich

kingdom was that of kingdom was that of the Kongo in west the Kongo in west central Africacentral Africa

The people of the The people of the Kongo were skilled in Kongo were skilled in working with wood, working with wood, copper and ironcopper and iron

There was a division of There was a division of labor within this labor within this cultural kingdomcultural kingdom

Kingdom of the KongoKingdom of the Kongo In the late 1400’s the In the late 1400’s the

Portuguese come into Portuguese come into contact with the Kongocontact with the Kongo

Christian missionaries Christian missionaries convert the kingdom convert the kingdom when they are able to when they are able to convert Nzinga Mvemba convert Nzinga Mvemba the ruler of the Kongothe ruler of the Kongo

Both Portugal and the Both Portugal and the Kongo exchanged Kongo exchanged ambassadors and at first ambassadors and at first dealt with each other on dealt with each other on an equal basis.an equal basis.

Kingdom of the KongoKingdom of the Kongo Soon however Portugal’s need for slaves caused Soon however Portugal’s need for slaves caused

the Portuguese to enslave the people of the the Portuguese to enslave the people of the KongoKongo

Mvemba and the people of the Kongo Mvemba and the people of the Kongo attempted to stop the slave trade and drive the attempted to stop the slave trade and drive the Portuguese out of the KongoPortuguese out of the Kongo

The attempt to push out the Portuguese was The attempt to push out the Portuguese was not successful-Portugal had established a not successful-Portugal had established a strong dominance over strong dominance over Trade in the KongoTrade in the KongoPortugal had better technology to overcome Portugal had better technology to overcome

the Kongo and it’s peoplethe Kongo and it’s people

The Gold CoastThe Gold CoastCooperation with the Slave TradeCooperation with the Slave Trade

During the 1400’s many African nations During the 1400’s many African nations were formed through trade with were formed through trade with EuropeansEuropeans

Many West African nations emergeMany West African nations emergeOyoOyoBeninBeninDahomeyDahomeyKongo Kongo Asante (Ashanti)Asante (Ashanti)

The Gold CoastThe Gold Coast Cooperation with the Cooperation with the

Slave TradeSlave Trade Many of these new Many of these new

nations were warring nations were warring with other older or with other older or emerging nationsemerging nations

Due to this warring Due to this warring nature prisoners of war nature prisoners of war were often sold into were often sold into European slave markets European slave markets established along the established along the West African coast West African coast

Africans were selling Africans were selling Africans into slaveryAfricans into slavery

The Gold CoastThe Gold Coast AsanteAsante

Established in 1680 by Established in 1680 by Osei TutuOsei Tutu

Became a strong African Became a strong African nation because of it’s sale nation because of it’s sale of gold and slaves in of gold and slaves in return for guns and return for guns and gunpowder from gunpowder from European nationsEuropean nations

Because of this West Because of this West Africa became known as Africa became known as the Gold Coastthe Gold Coast

Asante was one of the Asante was one of the few places that had few places that had abundant mineral and abundant mineral and agricultural resourcesagricultural resources

African Slave TradeAfrican Slave TradeOnce slaves and the prospect for Once slaves and the prospect for

slaves dried up on the coast West slaves dried up on the coast West Africans began warring against Africans began warring against Central African nationsCentral African nations

European’s desire for slaves lead to European’s desire for slaves lead to constant warfare between African constant warfare between African nations to obtain more slavesnations to obtain more slaves

Reasons for the Slave TradeReasons for the Slave Trade 1. The need for labor 1. The need for labor

intensive work on the intensive work on the plantationsplantations Planting, harvesting Planting, harvesting

sugarsugar At first sugar At first sugar

plantations off the plantations off the coast of Africa, Sao coast of Africa, Sao Tome and later Brazil Tome and later Brazil and the Caribbean and the Caribbean caused the need for caused the need for labor to become more labor to become more intenseintense

Reasons for the Slave TradeReasons for the Slave Trade2. Native American were not well 2. Native American were not well

suited to be slavessuited to be slavesThe Catholic Church objected to native The Catholic Church objected to native

Americans being used as slavesAmericans being used as slavesThe native Americans were not well suited The native Americans were not well suited

for the hard labor of slaveryfor the hard labor of slaveryNative Americans did not have knowledge Native Americans did not have knowledge

of different activities like mining, of different activities like mining, agricultural work or sugar cultivation like agricultural work or sugar cultivation like AfricansAfricans

The Atlantic Slave TradeThe Atlantic Slave Trade In 1518 the first recorded shipment of In 1518 the first recorded shipment of

slaves was brought by the Portuguese slaves was brought by the Portuguese from Africa to the New Worldfrom Africa to the New World

In the 1400’s about 1,000 slaves a In the 1400’s about 1,000 slaves a year were brought from Africa to the year were brought from Africa to the New WorldNew World

In the 1500’s about 2,000 slaves a In the 1500’s about 2,000 slaves a year were brought to the New Worldyear were brought to the New World

The Atlantic Slave TradeThe Atlantic Slave TradeDuring the 16During the 16thth and 17 and 17thth Century the Century the

need for slaves dramatically increasedneed for slaves dramatically increased37% of all slaves brought to the New 37% of all slaves brought to the New

World went to BrazilWorld went to Brazil15% went to Spanish America15% went to Spanish America

By the 17By the 17thth Century other European Century other European nations settled in the New World also nations settled in the New World also needed slavesneeded slaves41% of slaves went to non-Spanish 41% of slaves went to non-Spanish

coloniescolonies

The Atlantic Slave TradeThe Atlantic Slave Trade Southern Colonies Southern Colonies

of British North of British North America were America were slaves were used slaves were used to grow crops such to grow crops such as tobacco and as tobacco and cotton accounted cotton accounted for 5% of the for 5% of the slavesslaves

The Atlantic Slave TradeThe Atlantic Slave Trade In the 1600’s more In the 1600’s more

than 1 million slaves than 1 million slaves were transported were transported from Africafrom Africa

In the 1700’s at the In the 1700’s at the peak of the slave peak of the slave trade 6 million trade 6 million slaves were slaves were transported to the transported to the New WorldNew World

The Middle PassageThe Middle Passage Most slaves were Most slaves were

captives or captives or prisoners of war prisoners of war

Often times slaves Often times slaves were separated were separated from their families, from their families, mixed with other mixed with other tribes, spoke tribes, spoke different languages different languages or practiced or practiced different customsdifferent customs

The Middle PassageThe Middle Passage At the ports of West At the ports of West

African countries slaves African countries slaves were loaded onto ships were loaded onto ships destine for the New destine for the New WorldWorld

This passage to the New This passage to the New World was known as the World was known as the Middle PassageMiddle Passage

Slave ships were build Slave ships were build and loaded to carry as and loaded to carry as many slaves as possible many slaves as possible to ensure greater profitsto ensure greater profits

The Middle PassageThe Middle Passage Slaves were chained together and then Slaves were chained together and then

chained to the boat lying on their backschained to the boat lying on their backs Hundreds of other slaves were also be chained Hundreds of other slaves were also be chained

to the boat to the boat Shackled in darkness and filth, seasickness Shackled in darkness and filth, seasickness

and disease were rife. The heat in the hold and disease were rife. The heat in the hold could be over 90 degrees and the slaves would could be over 90 degrees and the slaves would have no access to toilets or washing facilities. have no access to toilets or washing facilities.

So foul was the smell of slave ships that other So foul was the smell of slave ships that other vessels took care to steer well away from vessels took care to steer well away from them. them.

The Middle PassageThe Middle Passage Once at sea, the slaves were brought up out of Once at sea, the slaves were brought up out of

their steamy dungeon each morning.their steamy dungeon each morning. The men's' leg-irons were linked to a chain The men's' leg-irons were linked to a chain

running down the centre of the ship's deck to running down the centre of the ship's deck to prevent them jumping overboard. On some ships prevent them jumping overboard. On some ships they were made to dance for exercise.they were made to dance for exercise.

The slaves would receive their meal, usually a kind The slaves would receive their meal, usually a kind of porridge made from maize or millet. A second of porridge made from maize or millet. A second meal might be provided in the afternoon, usually meal might be provided in the afternoon, usually the same as the first. While on deck a good captain the same as the first. While on deck a good captain had the slaves washed down with warm vinegar had the slaves washed down with warm vinegar and scrubbed.  Some did not bother and in rough and scrubbed.  Some did not bother and in rough weather the slaves would not be allowed out at all.weather the slaves would not be allowed out at all.

The Middle PassageThe Middle Passage In such conditions disease spread, and In such conditions disease spread, and

many slaves died. It was not rare for many slaves died. It was not rare for hundreds to die in an epidemic; hundreds to die in an epidemic; occasionally every African on board occasionally every African on board was dead by the time the ship entered was dead by the time the ship entered Caribbean waters. Caribbean waters.

Their bodies would be thrown Their bodies would be thrown overboard.overboard.

The average voyage could last 6 week The average voyage could last 6 week to 3 monthsto 3 months

The Middle PassageThe Middle Passage It has been estimated that between 9-It has been estimated that between 9-

11 million people were taken from 11 million people were taken from Africa by European traders and landed Africa by European traders and landed alive on the other side of the Atlantic. alive on the other side of the Atlantic.

But as the average loss was 1/8 of all But as the average loss was 1/8 of all slaves it can be estimated that a slaves it can be estimated that a further 1½ million Africans are buried further 1½ million Africans are buried in the Atlantic Ocean between Africa in the Atlantic Ocean between Africa and the Americas. and the Americas.

The Triangle TradeThe Triangle Trade At the end of the At the end of the

voyage came the sale voyage came the sale of  the cargo. of  the cargo.

Africans were inspected Africans were inspected for physical faults and for physical faults and auctioned like meat in a auctioned like meat in a meat-market. meat-market.

Families were split up Families were split up forever and life as a forever and life as a plantation slave would plantation slave would begin.begin.

The Triangle TradeThe Triangle TradeMeanwhile, the captains totted up Meanwhile, the captains totted up

the profits and the crew began the profits and the crew began cleaning out the ship to take on a cleaning out the ship to take on a cargo of colonial produce, which had cargo of colonial produce, which had to be carried in better conditions to be carried in better conditions than the slaves had endured. As than the slaves had endured. As soon as the ship was ready and soon as the ship was ready and loaded, the final part of the Trade loaded, the final part of the Trade TriangleTriangle

The Return PassageThe Return Passage Having loaded the Having loaded the

ships with sugar, ships with sugar, tobacco and rum paid tobacco and rum paid for from the proceeds for from the proceeds of the sale of slaves, of the sale of slaves, the captains would try the captains would try to set sail for England to set sail for England on the final part of on the final part of their triangular their triangular voyage before the voyage before the Hurricane season Hurricane season began in mid-July. began in mid-July.

The Return PassageThe Return PassageA ship that sank, or was wrecked A ship that sank, or was wrecked

near the English coast, could mean near the English coast, could mean disaster for a single owner. This was disaster for a single owner. This was the reason most merchant ventures the reason most merchant ventures shared the risk, and therefore the shared the risk, and therefore the profit, by investing jointly in the profit, by investing jointly in the trade. trade.

This was a business venture and This was a business venture and profit was to be made off the sale of profit was to be made off the sale of slaves and the return of goodsslaves and the return of goods

The World Economy The World Economy Slavery was a crucial element in European Slavery was a crucial element in European

economic lifeeconomic life By the 1800’s every major nation had made By the 1800’s every major nation had made

a profit off the sale or use of slavesa profit off the sale or use of slaves This was evident by the reluctance of This was evident by the reluctance of

nations to make slavery illegalnations to make slavery illegal The Triangle trade of slaves for goods and The Triangle trade of slaves for goods and

later the exchange of European finished later the exchange of European finished goods (metalware, cotton textiles, processed goods (metalware, cotton textiles, processed alcohol gin and rum and fire arms) made the alcohol gin and rum and fire arms) made the slave trade possible and profitableslave trade possible and profitable

The World EconomyThe World Economy

African Slaves

Raw Materials

Finished Goods

Finished Goods

Africa

Europe

New World

New World

World EconomyWorld Economy In America the slaves would be traded In America the slaves would be traded

for raw materialsfor raw materialsFurs, tobacco, raw cotton, sugar and silverFurs, tobacco, raw cotton, sugar and silverThe raw materials would then be The raw materials would then be

transported back to Europe and turned into transported back to Europe and turned into finished goodsfinished goods

In Africa finished European goods In Africa finished European goods would be exchanged for would be exchanged for Gold, ivory, timber and slavesGold, ivory, timber and slaves

World EconomyWorld Economy It was the ruthless expansion of It was the ruthless expansion of

Europeans into Africa and the Europeans into Africa and the exploitation of African goods exploitation of African goods including people (slaves) that including people (slaves) that accounted for the growth and accounted for the growth and expansion of European wealth from expansion of European wealth from the 1400’s to the 1800’s.the 1400’s to the 1800’s.