The Transatlantic Enslavement: 1500s-1800s Flashcards
How would you characterize Africa before transatlantic enslavement?
Africa was thriving. They had established their own economic and political systems, their own cultures, technologies and philosophies, and they were constantly trying to improve their economy.
How is Africa the birthplace of humanity?
Africa where the earliest evidence of human existence is found. This means that we all have ties to Africa and most likely have African ancestors.
To what extent was there enslavement before Europeans arrived in Africa?
The extent of enslavement before Europeans arrived in Africa, can be seen during times of war. During war when members of the other side were captured they would often be exploited and forced to endure hard labour.
Who is Olaudah Equiano?
He was an African enslaved man, who became a slave at the age of 11, when he was kidnapped by slave traders.
Describe the treatment of enslaved peoples during the Middle Passage.
1.They were kept below the deck where it was hard to breathe. Many times they were near suffocation, from the need of fresh air.
- Kept under the deck for days at a time with no food or fresh air, surrounded by sickness and death.
- They were abused, beaten and killed.
What were Equiano’s greatest fears during the Middle Passage?
He didn’t know what these men were going to do with him and he though they were going to eat him.
How did Equiano’s story end?
He was able to buy his freedom with the little money he earned throughout the years.
Why was Equiano considered “lucky” out of all the slaves.
He was considered “lucky” because:
- He was somewhat educated by his slave handlers.
- He was able to buy his freedom in the end.
- He survived.
What is the Middle Passage?
The stage of the Atlantic slave trader in which millions of enslaved Africans were being transported to America.
List the many ways transatlantic enslavement was devastating for the many societies on the continent of Africa.
Millions of lives were lost.
African societies were disrupted by the trade.
Everything Africa has worked for was washed away.
Africa’s history was invalidated and was wiped away after the trade.
Historians and philosophers believed that Africans had never developed any institutions or cultures and didn’t amount to anything, along with the fact that any future advances had to be controlled by the Europeans.
Historians and philosophers believed that Africans had never developed any institutions or cultures and didn’t amount to anything, along with the fact that any future advances had to be controlled by the Europeans.
How did slavery “improve” the economy?
Hint: Civil War Cause
The South (part of America) was producing 75% of the world’s cotton, therefore their economy was doing amazing.
How were enslaved people dehumanized and treated like animals?
They were inspected like animals and sold to the highest bidder.
When did the Civil War start?
1861
When did the Civil War end and what was the outcome?
Ended and 1865 and the North won.
When The Civil War started, what did the North want? What did the South wants?
North: Abolishment of slavery.
South: Wanted to keep slavery and tried to justify it.
