Introduction of Slavery

Slavery in the World

• In existence since ancient times

• “slave” derives from the word “Slav”– 14th & 15th century Venetian & Genoese

merchants lead trade of Slavic people

• Does bother many Europeans b/c it conflicts with the teachings of Christianity

Africa

• Portuguese est. Sugar plantations off the coast of West Africa– Later Columbus will est. sugar plantations in

the Caribbean

• Trade with African leaders for captured pows

• Europeans left the “capturing” of slaves to the Africans

Transporting slaves in Africa

Use of Natives

• Spanish will force natives to work on Sugar plantations in the Caribbean– Doesn’t work: run away or sick from European

diseases– Look at Portuguese success

• Other Europeans will follow suit in their colonies

Who becomes the slaves?

• West Africa in small communities

• Women had more freedoms

• Sophisticated farming techniques (makes them great laborers later)

• Slavery in existence there, but not necessary permanent

• Twice as many men brought over

Triangular Trade

• Trade between Africa, Europe & New World

Middle Passage

• Journey from Africa to New World

• Slaves held in forts & buildings on the coast

• Taken to ships waiting for them

• Packed into the ship’s lower levels– 6 feet long by 2 ½ feet high

Life on the ship

• Ships for 450 carried 600+• Lasted anywhere from 3 weeks to 3

months (depending on weather)• Morning- walk on deck, b’fast- beans• “dancing the slave”

– Forced to jump up & down in chains to entertain the sailors

• Afternoon on deck & then banished to the room

Underground

• Lack of sanitation• Shrieks of the dying• Left to wallow in their

waste• Ships ridden with

disease• Some captured slaves

would try to revolt or jump overseas

Diagram of slave ship

Arrival in New World

• Prepared for market- made presentable

• As they disembarked the boat- “walking skeletons covered over with a piece of tanned leather.”

• Sold in auctions or to one buyer

**1st slaves brought in 1619 by the Dutch & traded to J. Rolfe

How does it come to America?

• Use of Indentured servants

• Passage to US in return for service

Early American slavery

• Small #’s due to $$$

• In colonial VA, lived with master & formed relationships

• 1662 British start to participate in slave trade– Sent to colonies & Caribbean

Growing #’s

• 1649- 300 slaves

• 1676 Bacon’s Rebellion

• 1680- 3,000

• 1686- 5,000

• 1715- 23,000

• 1775- 206,000 slaves in VA & MD

Advertising the sale of slaves

Daily Life

• Basic goods to survive from master– Food rations (little meat)– Inadequate clothing

• Tough working conditions

• Mostly on farms & plantations

Culture

• Families IMPORTANT– Women not brought at 1st

– Marriages not legal• Performed among the community• broomstick

– Families split and traded often– Children

• High birth rate• Named after family and traditional African names• English names come later • Blending of traditions

Religion

• At 1st, owners weary of spreading Christianity– brotherhood

• Many slaves practice traditional beliefs

• Later Christianity will spread

CULTURE

• Music & dance important– String instruments– Drums outlawed- used spoons & sticks– Coping strategies

• Language– 2 important dialects: Gullah– Blending of languages