Transatlantic Slave Trade Flashcards
What was the case of the Zong?
Slaves drowned in the middle passage to claim insurance
What were the problems after a successful slave rebellion on the middle passage?
The Africans were unable to sail the ships because they weren’t used to ship in general as they were mainly from inland Africa.
What were the difficulties of slave revolts on the middle passage?
Revolts were difficult because slaves were chained together and unarmed, unlike their captors
What was a standard slave auction?
Buyer would bid for slaves, slaves would go to the highest bidder
What was a space scramble auction?
Buyers would pay slavers a set price for a set number of slaves. They would then be able to ‘rush’ into an enclosure where the slaves were kept and grab the slaves you wanted
What was a refuse slave auction?
The last of the slaves not bought preciously would be sold in lots of set prices
Who was the in the first gang on the plantations?
Physically fit young male and female slaves
They did the hardest work
Who was in the second gang on the plantations?
Made up from slaves between 12-18, slightly older people and pregnant women
They did slightly easier work
Who was in the third gang on the plantations?
Made up is very young and very old, children worked from the age of three
They did less demanding work, like collecting rubbish
What were slave drivers?
Had a slight elevation of power and control of the field hands
Another slave who made sure the gangs were doing their job properly
What were the slaves living conditions?
Lived in small huts provided by their owner (some had to build their own)
Shared huts with 10 others
Very poor furniture
Poor diets, not enough protein, eating cornmeal and cheap meat.
What happened to slaves when their owners passed away?
Moved to children or family, their owned had bequeathed them as part of his property
What were some difficulties for life on the plantation?
Full sun exposure, extreme heat and no rest for hours.
Women cooked breakfast, meals lacked nutrients and had lunches of vegetables and pickled fish
Whipped if late for breakfast and only had half hour to eat breakfast
10-12 people per hut, not proper flooring and lack of good furniture
What were some punishments for slaves on the plantations?
Thumb-screws
Flogging (whipping)
Slitting ears
Neck collars
Iron muzzles
What were slaves codes?
A series of laws introduced in Britain’s colonies which justified the system of slavery
