The Atlantic Slave Trade Flashcards
1
Q
Why did slavery start?
A
- Europeans enslaved natives at first but they quickly died of disease unlike Africans.
- Africans had farming skills needed to work on these plantations.
- African traders became very wealthy from trading slaves.
2
Q
Becoming a slave
A
- Africans would be enslaved if they were a prisoner of war.
- Kidnapping during tribal conflict
- African middle men would sell to Europeans
- Punishment for a serious crime
3
Q
The effects on Africa
A
- Loss of workers
- Economic decline
- Political instability
- Loss of life
- Seen as a normal way of life
4
Q
The middle passage
A
- Outward; Britain to west Africa. Load goods on board to trade for slaves.
- Middle; West Africa to West Indies. Slaves would be loaded then sold.
- Homeward; Sell West Indian produce in Britain.
5
Q
Slave Life
A
- Made to take a new name, language and religion.
- Long hours in a rough climate.
- House slaves would be treated better than field slaves
- Lived in cold huts and were given very poor quality food if any.
6
Q
Slave Jobs
A
- House slave; cooking, cleaning, looking after children
- Plantation; growing and harvesting crops, boiling sugar, looking after animals
7
Q
Slave Resistance
A
- Passive Resistance; late for work, pretending to be sick, slacking off at work, pretending not to understand instructions, escape.
- Active; harming property or animals, attacking owners, poisoning owners.
8
Q
Punishment
A
- Whipping
- Not given enough food or force fed
- Branded
- Chained up
- Half hung
- Smoked
- Tortured
9
Q
Effectiveness of resistance
A
- Successful; owner loses profits, better slave treatment
- Not Successful; Threat of punishment, chance of worse treatment, slave hunters, location, disapproval of other slaves.
10
Q
Britain and the Caribbean
A
- The Caribbean provided sugar and other products which made Britons rich.
- Many Britons worked on the Caribbean as doctors, lawyers or governors.
- Britain heavily influenced the Caribbean by owning plantations and crops.
11
Q
Effects on the Caribbean
A
- Arawak Natives were enslaved
- Land was taken from Natives to grow crops
- Arawak’s killed by disease
- Landscape was destroyed (forests)
- Poor slave treatment only lived for 3 years
- Huge amounts of violence and revolt
- Increased population not enough resources
- Loss of workers
12
Q
British Cities and People
A
- London; At first it was only allowed to trade slaves but remained a major port. The trade set up businesses like loyds bank.
- Bristol; Many buildings and industries (glass making) were set up.
- Liverpool; Biggest British port. Massive ship building industry.
- Thomas Leyland - Liverpool’s richest man.
- Richard Oswald - Owned one of the most active trading posts.
13
Q
Scotland and Slavery
A
- The bank of Scotland
- Richard Oswald
- Many Scots became plantation owners in the US and Caribbean.
- 60% of people in Jamaican phone books have Scottish surnames.
14
Q
The impact on Britain
A
- Became worlds leading naval power.
- Became world economic power.
- Provided sailors with work
- Made thousands of merchants very rich
15
Q
Abolitionists
A
- William Wilberforce introduced a bill to parliament
- Adam Smith; slaves were more expensive than free labour.
- It was against God’s will.
- Prevented Britain growing economically
- Led to the death of British sailors.
- Books, newspapers, pamphlets
- Slave captains spoke at public meetings
- Priests spoke out against it at Sunday services.
