THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE

Form 4:3 MS MODESTE

THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE-
The Transatlantic Slave Trade (Important Drawing)
BRITAIN
Every nation conducted their
own transatlantic slave trade:

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BritishWestIndies AFRICA (Britsh
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Africans as slaves
Middle Passage (8-10 wks) 2
Each Mother country had their own Trans Atlantic
Slave trade. Nantes, Bordeaux
France

BRITAIN
◦ FRANCE

Lisbon
Portugal
Africa
French West Indies: (French
Guadelopue slaving
Martinique posts

PORTUGAL

Brazil Portuguese African

posts
The Transatlantic Slave Trade
◦ The Transatlantic Slave Trade was a global trading system that involved three legs, three countries, crossing the Atlantic and supplying
some type of goods at each leg. The most important leg was from Africa to the Americas (North America, South America and the
Caribbean) transporting enslaved persons. There were also other legs of the journey which also provided other goods in exchange. At
no time was the slave ship to be empty.
Leg1: Sailed from Britain to Africa

◦ All trade started from their Mother Country in Europe: Portugal, Spain, France

◦ Because of mercantilism and the rule to only trade with your colonies Britain had to dock only in African ports owned by Britain.

◦ This leg from the Mother country took to Africa pots, pans, ammunition beads and all the useless trinkets that they did not want and
could get rid of .

◦ African Chiefs were very desirous of ammunition. This ammunition also introduced a new way of life into Africa
Leg 2: Sailed from WestAfrica to the British West
Indies
◦ When trinkets were dropped off, Africans were picked up in exchange on the slave posts owned by Britain. Some British slave ports
in West africa were: (See page 84 of text and try to locate them.)

◦ Accra

◦ Badagri

◦ Whydah

◦ Albreda

◦ There was always national rivalries for a share in the enslavement trade.

◦ This was the most important leg and the most complex which will have to spend some time on to understand.
Continued….Leg two
◦ Once the ships docked in the ports owned by their mother country captains of the ships would meet
with slave traders and raiders whose job it was to go into the interior of West Africa, raiding villages,
kidnapping the most able bodied persons women, men going about their own daily lives. Elderly
Africans were not chosen.

◦ Many slave raiders were able to negotiate with some chiefs for some of their slaves in exchange for
ammunition.

◦ Once kidnapped they were shackled and marched in a coffle ( a line of slaves, fastened together to
move along quickly) to the coast, many who could not keep up were left behind deep in the forests to
die. This trek could take a few days.
◦ Upon reaching the coast the African were placed in a barracoon ( an enclosed area to await
transportation)
Leg 2….Middle Passage
◦ On board the slaves were stacked like sardines to occupy the most
space on the ship.
◦ They passed through the Middle Passage which took 6-10weeks
◦ The Middle Passage was the most horrendous and horrific journey.
◦ Slaves had to defecate and urinate chained to each other.
◦ They were given exercise daily on the upper deck and sprayed
down to keep them clean, healthy and fit.
◦ Many missed home and refused to eat going on hunger strikes.
Teeth would be knocked out and food stuffed down throat to not
die.
◦ Many suffered diseases yaws, dropsy, small pox, inflammations,
fevers,
◦ Very depressing sight : stench, infection and death
◦ Many resisted and jumped overboard. Those caught were shot
thrown overboard as an example .
 Africa would never
be the same after this.
Africa was never the same:
Walter Rodney in his book: How Europe Underdeveloped Africa looks at the changes:

◦ Politically

◦ Chiefs were making liaisons and deals with slave traders for ammunition

◦ Socially

◦ Depopulation

◦ Social violence

◦ Class divisions

◦ Loss of culture. Imposition of European tastes

◦ Economically:

◦ Population decreased- meant all African econ activity affected indirectly and directly.

◦ Food production had to be increased to cater to slave ships.

◦ Communities were faced with famine. No labour available to grow food. All the able bodies were kidnapped
Leg 2-Arrival to The British West Indies
◦ Once the slaves arrived to the BWI they had no idea where they came to

◦ Before being sold they were refreshed and polished with oil to appear glistening and healthy. Any cuts were filled with potty.

◦ Purchasing time-They were inspected and their privacy was invaded. Both male and female buyers or planters would check their
teeth, under their arms, eyes, genitals, behind their eyes for sores or illnesses. How humiliating !

◦ There were two types of sales: Scramble and an Auction

◦ At a scramble the slaves were placed together and buyers would rush and grab their choices almost creating a stampede. A very
traumatic experience for slaves who were tugged at and fought over.

◦ At an auction they the highest bidder who paid highest price would purchase slave.

◦ They would then be taken to their new homes/plantations as slaves separated from their families and divided into gangs for work:

◦ On the plantation they were divided into: First gang, Second Gang and Third Gangs
Was there slavery in Africa?
◦ See Chapter 12 page 82 of text

Traditionally Africans could be enslaved in their community/village/country for the following reasons:

 Parents could place their children as domestic slaves in the care of a wealthy family during times of famine.

 Persons could be sold into domestic slavery as payment for debts. Once debt paid they were freed.

 Committing Crimes such as witchcraft, adultery and murder free men could be enslaved.

 Prisoners of war and people seized in raids were regarded as their captor slaves.
Exception: Resistance to
the Slave trade
◦ Some chiefs resisted the slave trade:

◦ 1630- Queen Nzinga (Angola Matamba). Resisted Portuguese. Left

isolated. Resumed 1659.

◦ 1720-Leader Tomba (Rep of Guinea) aimed at securing alliance to stop

slave trade. Defeated by Europeans.

◦ 1720- Leader Agadja Trudo (Dahomey). Looted, burnt European slave

camps. Trade:trickled.

◦ Failed to convince them to adopt alternative economic activity

READ ABOUT
SOME
RESISTANCE
Leg 3 From BWI back to
Britain
◦ When the enslaved were dropped off the ship loaded the ship with:

◦ Unrefined sugar, molasses and rum

◦ Refined sugar was NEVER created in the BWI for the slaves to learn this
trade. It was kept a secret in case they tried to do so on their own.

◦ Unrefined sugar was transported back to England wet and drained in a

hogshead (wooden barrel for transport with plugs for draining) The
drained syrup was known as molasses which was used to make rum.
Some of this was transported as well. The slaves would make rum from
molasses in the part of the factory called the Still House.

◦ Once sugar was refined into granulated sugar in Britain, King Sugar was
sold to Europe as sweetener for tea.
Extra Research
◦ Start exploring History and You Tube and understanding exactly what happened during slavery in The Caribbean.

◦ If you are viewing You tube videos keep in mind that the USA also had African slaves too. They grew cotton though not sugar. Their
history is different .

◦ so view only those videos on Slavery in the Caribbean.