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African Diaspora : The Forced Migration of Nations

Explore the history of the African Diaspora, from the beginnings of slavery to the environmental and human effects of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Learn about the reasons for mass slave imports, the impacts on regions like North and South America, and the justifications behind slavery. Discover how slavery transformed economies, societies, and landscapes, leaving a lasting legacy on the world today.

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African Diaspora : The Forced Migration of Nations

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  1. African Diaspora: The Forced Migration of Nations THE LARGEST IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD

  2. Who Can We Blame? • Slavery has existed since the beginnings of human civilization • Portugal: Begins to establish “factories” along eastern African coast by 1440s

  3. Video Clip • http://www.history.com/shows/mankind-the-story-of-all-of-us/videos/african-slave-trade • John Green: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnV_MTFEGIY

  4. The Largest Reason for Massive Slave Imports • SUGAR (Labor intensive=Required huge amounts of labor) • Europe gained a sweet-tooth • From 1450-1850 = 10 - 12 million Africans shipped to the Americas • 1700s = time period when 80% of the slaves were shipped • Which region received few slaves in comparison?

  5. Slave Trade in the Americas • By comparison, few slaves shipped to North America • Why? The slave population grew in the North America due to birth rates • In South America & the Caribbean, they needed a constant flow to make up for dead slaves (indentured servants?) • Brazil received 41% of all slaves • By the end, Africa’s total population had been cut in half (from around 50 million to 25 million)

  6. Why So Many? • Once other European nations realized the massive wealth opportunities, they wanted a piece of the human slave-trade pie • Could make as much as 300% profit from 1 journey • English = Royal African Company • Dutch = Dutch East India Company • Competition between European Nations helped them dominate the world

  7. Effects: Environmental • More profitable to clear new lands when old fields decline in productivity • Led to Deforestation; by 1800 only interior lands still had dense forests • New animals introduced started to crowd-out native species • Little land left for Native populations • Africans brought agricultural techniques such as rice cultivation that became highly profitable • New foodstuffs from the Americas were eventually brought to Africa & improved diet/quality of life

  8. Effects: Human • Africa’s West Coast lost entire villages & future leaders  African Diaspora • Slave journey was degrading & horrifying • Up to 18 hours of work per day • Family formation difficult • Few female slaves • Loss of traditional structures – family members bought & sold • Many workers died within a few months of arrival - Life expectancy: Males 23; Females 25.5 • Harshest working conditions experienced in Brazil & the Caribbean

  9. The Middle Passage • The “second leg” of the Triangular Trade (Africa-the Americas) • Horrifying ordeal • Chained together • Men kept separate from boys, girls and women • 4 square feet of space per person onboard ship • Journey lasted 3-6 weeks • Death=common (from contagious disease, bad food, dysentery, refusal to eat) • Ships were equipped with special nets to catch people who jumped

  10. Slavery in the Colonies • Primarily worked on plantations • Some continued skilled jobs such as carpentry • Women were often domestic servants • % of slaves far outnumbered masters so they lived in constant fear of rebellion, therefore used harsh discipline techniques • Constant whippings, floggings & mutilations

  11. How was Slavery Justified? • Religious • Bible (Curse of Ham/Canaan) • [Genesis 9:20-27] • Slavery produced massive amounts of wealth • People are not born equal • White, Europeans: • Slaves were “content” (because they sang) • “Slaves live better lives than in Africa.”

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