Slave Trade Flashcards
Overall, how long was the entire course of the slave trade?
300 years.
Why would Africans be involved in the slave trade?
Money, access goods from Britain, feeling of protection from Britain.
Is there an age limit slaves have to be?
No.
What type of people would become slaves?
Those who betrayed their tribes, Prisoners captured in war, Kidnapped to become enslaved, Criminals, Those who didn’t pay debts.
What were slaves popularly sold to do?
Work in sugar plantations.
Did Britain have a role to play in the slave trade? In a percentage, how many ships left from British ports?
Britain had a major role in the slave trade. 90% of ships left British ports.
Where were Britain’s 3 main ports?
London, Bristol and Liverpool.
What is the triangular trade?
A route which British ships would take. Consists of 3 stages.
What present banks today benefited from the slave trade?
Lloyd’s, Barclays, Bank Of England, and Barings bank.
What were the trade goods?
Gem stones,
Silk,
Weaponry,
Alcohol.
Where would slaves be kept before shipping?
Slave factories.
What were slave factories? How many slaves died?
Slave factories were forts/small castles where slaves were kept, waiting for traders. 45% of slaves died.
Conditions of slave factories? How long did they have to be there for?
There was no sanitation, overcrowding, and lack of ventilation.
Disease was very common.
Slaves had to wait several months before shipment, if they survived.
The first journey, from West Africa to the West Indies was called?
Middle passage.
What would be required before slaves were allowed to board the ship?
Their heads would be shaved and some clothes would be removed. This was to prevent disease spreading.
How many slaves could fit in a ship?
482.
Conditions on the ship?
- Slaves were chained together.
- Only allowed up on deck 1-2 hours a day for air or exercise.
- Men and woman were separated (lead to sexual assault).
- Slave stacking, where slaves were stacked due to lack of space.
- Kept in tight space, often not allowed to go to the bathroom.
How long would the ship journey take?
6-8 weeks.
Food/water on ship?
Fed twice a day, and only had half a pint of water.
Food normally consists of rice, beans, plantains, yams and millet. Some citrus like orange or lemon may also be available.
Daily routine?
After 8 days of being on ship, slaves were allowed on deck for air. They would have to clean the ship, and sing whilst doing so.
What kind of diseases would break out on ship? Did this affect the crew?
Dropsy, dysentery and yellow fever would be common. Slaves would be kept under deck if there were severe spreading. This would affect the crew too.
How many slaves would die?
1 in 5 slaves would die.
What was bad about the middle passage? (For the crew, not slaves)
Barely any men volunteered, due to the conditions.
Deaths for crew were higher than any other passage.
Only desperate men would volunteer for money.
Did rebellion happen on ships?
Yes, these were very common. They were the most common cause of death on ships.
