By Hannah, Lauren, Ryan, Jackie and Samuel

Key Question:

Why did slave systems exist in Africa?

Why did slave systems exist in Africa?

Broad themes to be explored and discussed within the lesson:

Inter tribal relationsEconomic BenefitsInfluence of Europeans

The story of African slavery through the eyes of 1 man: John Barbot

Document 1

This drawing from the journals of Jean Barbot illustrates his meeting with the King of Sestro (now in modern Liberia) to

trade for ivory and obtain supplies. The king is shown wearing 'a sort of cap made of straw in the shape of a mitre, and is surrounded by some of his 'ministers'. The seated man in

European dress is apparently Barbot himself. Jean Barbot was employed as a commercial agent on a number

of slave-trading voyages to West Africa by the French in the 1670s and 1680s. His remarkable journals include a variety of drawings on many subjects - local flora and fauna, scenes from

African life.

This drawing from the journals of Jean Barbot illustrates his meeting with the King of Sestro (now in modern Liberia) to

trade for ivory and obtain supplies. The king is shown wearing 'a sort of cap made of straw in the shape of a mitre, and is surrounded by some of his 'ministers'. The seated man in

European dress is apparently Barbot himself. Jean Barbot was employed as a commercial agent on a number

of slave-trading voyages to West Africa by the French in the 1670s and 1680s. His remarkable journals include a variety of drawings on many subjects - local flora and fauna, scenes from

African life.

“Those sold by the Blacks are for the most part prisoners of war, taken either in fight, or pursuit, or in the incursions they make into their enemies territories; others stolen away by their own countrymen; and some there are, who will sell their own children, kindred, or neighbours. This has been often seen, and to compass it, they desire the person they intend to sell, to help them in carrying something to the factory by way of trade, and when there, the person so deluded, not understanding the language, is old and deliver'd up as a slave, notwithstanding all his resistance, and exclaiming against the treachery...Evidence of…

Inter tribal relationsEvidence of…

Economic MotivationsEvidence of…

Influence of Europeans

Who is Barbot

?

What are his

motivations?

Is this evidence reliable?

What do we need to

prove/disprove this

evidence?

Pupils will understand the reasons why and how the slave trade existed within Africa

They will analyse primary documents to explore the issues posed by the key question

Pupils will critique and explore the provenance of the evidence presented by Barbot