‘Factories’ of enslaved people on the African coast Flashcards
(12 cards)
What were the permanent trading camps or forts set up by Europeans on the West African coast called?
Slave factories
These outposts were used to collect enslaved people for sale to passing slave ships.
Who examined enslaved people to determine their fitness for purchase?
A surgeon
The surgeon assessed the health of the captives before they were sold.
How were purchased captives assessed and categorized?
Divided into first and second class
This classification was based on their strength and age.
What criteria classified captives as first class?
Strong and under the age of 35
First class captives were deemed more desirable for purchase.
What characteristics classified captives as second class?
Weaker, poor teeth and eyesight, older than 35
Second class captives were considered less desirable for purchase.
What was done to captives who were passed as fit?
Branded on the chest with a hot iron
This was to prevent African traders from switching them for unfit enslaved people.
Where were enslaved people kept until a slave ship arrived?
Locked up in the slave factory’s cells or compounds
This confinement was part of the process before their transport.
What was the quality of conditions in slave factories?
Very poor
Enslaved people faced inadequate living conditions, including poor nutrition and confinement.
What types of food were enslaved people fed in the factories?
Bananas and beans
This diet was insufficient and contributed to poor health.
How long could enslaved people be held in factories?
Months at a time
Extended confinement increased the risk of disease and mortality.
What was common among enslaved people held in slave factories?
Disease
Poor conditions led to high rates of illness among the captives.
What percentage of those enslaved in factories died before transportation in the 1770s?
Almost half
This statistic highlights the mortality risk during the holding period.
