Do now:Identify examples of modern

day slavery in the world.

Goals for Today

• Assess the impact of European Exploration on Slave Trade

• Analyze Primary Documents and describe the Middle Passage

• Explain why Native Americans were not used for Slavery

• Evaluate the Age of Exploration

Slave Fort

The name "Middle Passage" refers to the fact that this was the middle part of the slaves' journey. The first part was from their place of origin to Dakar; the last was from Mantanzas to their final destinations in the Americas.

The slaves were carried on the second (or middle) part of a triangular circuit. Partly because of the direction of the trade winds and partly for economic reasons. The first passage was from the ships home ports in Europe to Africa loaded with trade goods.

Shackles used on Slave Ships

Capture and the Middle Passage

• After capture, Africans were packed tightly into slave ships.

• The death rate of the “passengers” was 25%

The Beginnings of Slavery in the United States

• 1619 – 1st Africans were brought to the colony Jamestown, Virginia.

Auction and SeasoningScramble – One set price people rush to buy

Auction – Sold to highest bidder

Put tar on slaves to cover wounds

• Slaves were put through a process of “seasoning”

• Learned:– Language – Given a name– Shown Labor

Why Not Enslave the Native Population?

• Victim to European diseases.• Familiar with the terrain and could

escape.• They had political allies that could

fight against the “owners.”

Why they used African Americans

• Proximity• Experience• Immunity from diseases• Low escape possibilities

Slavery and the British Empire

Slave Systems in the English Colonies– Three distinct slave systems were well entrenched in

Britain’s mainland colonies • Chesapeake • South Carolina and Georgia • Non- plantation societies of New England and the

Middle Colonies – Chesapeake slavery was based on tobacco – Chesapeake plantations tended to be smaller and

daily interactions between masters and slaves were more extensive

Evaluating the Age of Exploration

• Evaluate the Age of Exploration as positive or negative

• Defend your thesis in a persuasive letter • Consider the following

– Reasons for the Exploration – Impact on Native Peoples – Columbian Exchange – Conquest and Benefits – Slavery