The Middle Passage

Question 1

What was the Middle Passage?

Answer 1

The Middle Passage was the stage of the triangular trade in which millions of Africans were shipped from the Atlantic to the West Indies.

Question 2

What is the triangular trade?

Answer 2

The Triangle Trade refers to the route the slaves took as they were transported around the world.

(Picture of the map can be found in your book)

Question 3

What were the conditions like on the boats (Middle Passage) ?

Answer 3

• It was very cramped
• Many of the slaves became ill and caught diseases
• They did not have much food and had to drink dirty water
• Women, men and children were chained up together
• The floors were covered in human waste and blood meaning disease could spread quicker.

Question 4

What kind of diseases were spread?

Answer 4

The main disease was Dysentery. It was a form of diarrhea and made many of the slaved ill. As ill slaves could not be sold the owners often plugged the slaves bottom with rope to prevent the diarrhea.

Question 5

How long was the Middle Passage?

Answer 5

It took up to 3 weeks to make the full journey, however bad weather such as storms could extend the trip by much longer.