THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE The Evolution of Slavery

THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE

The Evolution of Slavery • English colonist gradually turned to the use of African slaves after efforts to meet their labor needs. • In the early days of slavery the English forced Native Americans to work for them. Native Americans avoided learning English labor techniques and could easily escape because they knew the land. • Slaves worked their entire life and therefore brought a higher return of an investment. • 1690 -13, 000 Black Slaves, 1750 -200, 000 Black slaves.

The European Slave Trade • During the 17 th century Africans had become part of the Triangular Trade network. A three way trading process. • This was a three-way trading process. 1. ) Merchants carried rum and other goods from England to Africa. 2. ) In Africa they traded their merchandise for enslaved people, whom they transported to the West Indies and sold for sugar and molasses. 3. ) These goods were then shipped to New England to be distilled into rum.

The Middle Passage • The voyage that brought Africans to the West Indies and later to North America. • It was considered the middle leg to the Transatlantic trade triangle. • Sickening cruelty characterized this journey. • On board slave ships, Africans fell victim to whippings, beatings, disease, • The smell of blood, sweat, and excrement filled the hold, as African passengers lived in their own waste.

Slavery in the South • An extremely difficult life of bondage in North America. • Most slaves worked in the fields. • 10 to 20 percent worked in the house of their owners. • Cooked, cleaned and raised their masters kids.

The Transatlantic Slave Trade

Slaves Boarding

On the ships

Triangular Trade