Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Flashcards
How and where didnthe slave trade first begin
The slave trade began with Portuguese (and some Spanish) traders, taking mainly West African (but some Central African) slaves to the American colonies they had conquered in the 15th century.
When did Britain get involved in the slave trade
British sailors became involved in the trade in the 16th century and their involvement increased in the 18th century when the Treaty of Utrecht (1713) gave them the right to sell slaves in the Spanish Empire.
Why was the fact that the slave trade was ignored by the fact it was inhuman and unfair
The slave trade made a great deal of profit for those who sold and exchanged slaves.
How many African were taken to the American as slaves between 1532 and 1832
At least 12 million Africans
triangular trade
West African slaves were exchanged for trade goods such as brandy and guns.
Slaves were then taken via the ‘Middle Passage’ across the Atlantic for sale in the West Indies and North America.
Finally, a cargo of rum and sugar taken from the colonies, was taken back to England to sell.
How many slaves died while traveling via the middle passage
As many as 2 million slaves died during the journey via the Middle Passage.
Middle passage journey
Journeys lasted from as little as six weeks to several months, depending on the weather. The ships were often too small to carry the hundreds of slaves on board. Slaves were tightly packed into cramped spaces with one person’s right leg chained to the left leg of another person. Conditions on the ships were terrible and slaves died from diseases such as smallpox, scurvy and measles.
How many slaves went by Portuguese traders taken slaves from Africa to work in the Portuguese colony of Brazil and the Spanish colonies of South America.
As many as 350,000 Africans were taken in this way as slaves to the Americas.
Who was the first English sea-captain to sell slaves to the Spanish colonies in 1562.
Sir John Hawkins
How did the English colonies expand
In 1625, the British captured Barbados in the West Indies and in 1655 they secured Jamaica.
In 1672, the Royal African Company was set up to do what
trade African slaves to the sugar plantations of the West Indies.
What was part of the Treaty of Utrecht.
the contract, known as the Asiento, to trade 144,000 slaves a year to Spanish South America.
After 1700, the numbers of slaves being transported increased greatly but how many were sent to American
Perhaps 8.5 million Africans were taken as slaves to the Americas.
Most slave ships got their slaves from where
British ‘factors’, who lived full-time in Africa and bought slaves from local tribal chiefs. The chiefs would raid a rival village and sell their captured enemies as slaves.
How much would a slave cost in 1700
a slave cost about £3-worth of traded goods, eg cloth, guns, gunpowder and brandy.
What were the chained lines called
coffles
Middle Passage route
across the Atlantic to the West Indies
How were slave sold in the west Indies
slaves were sold at an auction called a ‘scramble’
The selling price of a slave in the West Indies in 1700 was
£20, so there was a good profit to be had, which made the risks of long journeys and possible harsh weather worthwhile.
When did public opinion on the slave trade turn
At the end of the 18th century, public opinion began to turn against the slave trade.
How was there a resistance of the slave trade
Some African rulers refused to sell slaves to the traders.
Sometimes slaves mutinied on board ships. The most famous case was the Amistad in 1839.
There were many slave rebellions.
In Jamaica, runaway slaves formed ‘Maroon’ communities that fought against the British soldiers.
In Britain, slaves like James Somerset (or Somersett), frequently ran away from their masters.
What did Thomas Clarkson do
Thomas Clarkson went on a speaking tour, showing people chains and irons and a model of a slave ship.
What did Other campaigners do to abolish the slave trade?
Other campaigners published leaflets describing conditions on the Middle Passage and atrocities such as the Zong incident (1781).
What was the Zong incident
The captain of the slave ship Zong threw 133 slaves overboard so he could claim the insurance.
What was the Sons of Africa
British Africans such as Olaudah Equiano formed the ‘Sons of Africa’ and campaigned against the slave trade.
