Transatlantic Slave Trade

Question 1

What are slavers?

Answer 1

Slavers were the ships utilized to carry slaves from the West coast of Africa to the Americas and also bring goods to Europe.

Question 2

Who were middle men?

Answer 2

Middle men were men who captured slaves in African tribes and empires for a shared profit from European traders.

Question 3

How did Middlemen get slaves?

Answer 3

Through village raid (burning down villages), kidnapping, impregnating enslaved women (birth) and taking prisoners from tribal wars.

Question 4

Which three continents did the Transatlantic trade spread across?

Answer 4

Africa, Europe and the Americas

Question 5

What makes up the Americas?

Answer 5

The Caribbean, North America, South America

Question 6

What were some things slave traders and merchants did to prepare for the journey of the transatlantic Trade?

Answer 6

They ensured they had lots of food, water, a surgeon or doctor, enough crew to prevent slaves from revolting and most importantly goods to trade for the slaves.

Question 7

What are some goods Europe exchanged with Africa for slaves?

Answer 7

Cheap colorful jewelry, enamel bowls, cloth, guns and ammunition, liquor and mirrors.

Question 8

How was life before the slave trade?

Answer 8

People from tribes such as Ashanti, Ibo and, Mandingo (New Guinea area) normally lived in circular thatch huts. Villages had voting councils near rivers, a shared sense of belonging, similar language and religions and had occupations such as farmers (grew cassava, yams) , sculptors, merchants who traded salt +crafts and gold and basket weavers. This made West African states wealthy overtime.

Question 9

Three tribes found in West Africa during the 15th century

Answer 9

Ashanti, Ibo and Mandingo

Question 10

Why did African rulers from successful empires such as Mali and Ghana allow Europeans to take their people?

Answer 10

African rulers profited well from the abduction of their people, they got ammunition and guns to defend and expand their empires and collected taxes from European merchants and also wanted cheap goods like jewelry to look more important than Neighboring tribes.

Question 11

What was the length of one trip through the middle passage

Answer 11

6-10 weeks

Question 12

Where was the middle passage?

Answer 12

The part of the trade between the Coast of West Africa and across the Atlantic to the Americas

Question 13

When slaves were captured by middle men then transported where?

Answer 13

To the coast of the West for medical inspection, they were placed in temporary prisons called baracoons. Any slave who was unfit for the journey, too young or old for the journey would be removed from the line and left to find their way back home.

Question 14

What is a yoke and what is its purpose?

Answer 14

A yoke was a stick placed around the Africans necks to keep them in a straight line.

Question 15

What was the wealth of pre slave trade West Africa gained from

Answer 15

Extensive trade of salt, crops, ivory, bronze, cloth and gold.

Question 16

What’s a coffle?

Answer 16

A coffle was the line that slaves were in while bounded with chains on hands and feet and held straight by yokes.

Question 17

Why were Africans used out of all races?

Answer 17

• it was free and affordable labour for the Europeans who didn’t want to pay indentured or European laborers to do the work.
• Africans had better knowledge on mass cultivation of money crops like sugar cane and cotton.
• they were more immune to European diseases
• Convenience in location
• The indigenous people were near extinction and labour was needed.
• They knew less about the Americas’ terrain and had a less change of running away or forging and resistance.

Question 18

Did Africans respond well to the treatment?

Answer 18

No, they revolted with both passive and active aggression while on the slavers and in the Americas. Though it was near impossible, there were still many who fought and revolted on the ship. Also many believed it was better death than slavery and committed suicide by jumping off the ship.

Question 19

How were the living conditions for slaves on slavers?

Answer 19

Awful, slaves were heavily crowded and treated like inanimate cargo. 15% of all slaves on each trip died from disease spread, suffocation and dehydration. Women who were captured were sexually assaulted, women would dance and jump to keep their circulation from stopping, when storms and weather conditions got bad some slaves were forcefully thrown overboard and many sat and stayed jumbled in their own pee and poop. Many also had to witness suicide attempts of those who couldn’t beer the thought of being a slave.

Question 20

Effects of African middle men on tribes

Answer 20

Exploited tribes which inturn caused:
- distrust
- paranoia and fear
- conflict
-prioritization of self vs community

Question 21

Did slavers have two sections?

Answer 21

Yes, top deck and bottom deck where most slaves were.

Question 22

Social reasons Africans were used as slaves

Answer 22

• Their race
• Their immunity to European diseases
• their physical features
• less knowledgeable of terrain and hence easier to control

Question 23

Economic reasons they were used as slaves

Answer 23

• Knew how to mass cultivate crops
• Convenient in location
• Free labour

Question 24

What did European crew members on deck do to prevent slaves from jumping off the ship

Answer 24

They had a netting system

Question 25

What were some diseases that killed multiple slaves onboard?

Answer 25

Blood flux, small pox, dysentery and circulatory problems

Question 26

What was the organization of the slave trade?

Answer 26

First Africans were captured and brought to the west coast of Africa in yolks, chains and heavy supervision. Then they were placed on slavers and went on a journey from the coast to the Americas (Middle Passage) where they were sold.

Question 27

What was the social structure of the plantation?

Answer 27

1. Whites
2. Indentured servants
3. Molatos (coloured)
4. Blacks (slaves)