Slavery

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Slavery
Africa to the New World
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Nature of Slavery within African Societies

• Natural part of African society
• In West Africa, system of slavery resembled
  European feudalism
• Slaves were used to increase production and
  population of region more power
• Seen more as resource, rather than trade commodity

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Treatment of Slaves within African Societies

• Generally, slaves were well treated
• While low in hierarchy, active contributor to
  kingdom or community
• Some held high positions with significant
  responsibility
• Accepted by and lived with non-slaves in family
  settings

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Islamic Traders

• Conquest of North Africa by Muslims expanded
  slavery in Africa
• Harsh interpretations of Islamic law justified
  enslavement of non-Muslims
• Islamic traders exported slaves from 8th through
  19th century

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European Background

• Portuguese started African slave trade in 1441
• First Africans in Hispaniola in 1505
• 1450-1850 12 million Africans sent to Americas

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Triangular Trade

• Slaves carried to Americas
• Sugar, tobacco, and other goods carried to Europe
• European products (cloth, firearms) sent to coast
  of Africa for slaves to begin triangle trade again

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Triangular Trade
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Why Africans?

• No written language, many languages
• Native Americans dying off
• No muskets and gunpowder
• Africans participatedin trade by
  enslavingothers, selling debtorsand criminals,
  andkidnapping

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Justification

• Slavery made development of New World profitable
• Native American slaves died of diseases, escaped
  easily
• African tribes needed weapons and supplies
  from Europe

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Exportation

• Trip called Middle Passage
• 5000 miles, 3 weeks to 3 months
• 20-25 died
• Strip Africans self respect and self identity

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Effects

• Focus on men affected male/female ratios
• During slave trade, African population overall
  increases - why?
• African nations collapsed and were formed
• Slavery finally considered immoral

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The End

• 1807Britain outlawed slave trade
• 1808US outlawed slave trade
• 1833 Britain outlawed slavery
• 1863US outlawed slavery
• 1888Brazil outlawed slavery

John Newton
William Wilberforce
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Amazing Grace
John Newton

• Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)That savd a
  wretch like me!I once was lost, but now am
  found,Was blind, but now I see.
• Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,And
  grace my fears relievdHow precious did that
  grace appear,The hour I first believd!
• The Lord has promisd good to me,His word my
  hope securesHe will my shield and portion
  be,As long as life endures.

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Slavery
Africa to the New World