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AMERICAN BEGINNINGS

AMERICAN BEGINNINGS. Journal. September 6, 2013—What does it mean to be a slave? . Background on Slavery in America. Slave trade in English settlements began in 1619 when 20 slaves arrived in Jamestown via Dutch ship.

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AMERICAN BEGINNINGS

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  1. AMERICAN BEGINNINGS

  2. Journal • September 6, 2013—What does it mean to be a slave?

  3. Background on Slavery in America • Slave trade in English settlements began in 1619 when 20 slaves arrived in Jamestown via Dutch ship. • Spain and Portugal already practice slavery, but England’s use didn’t grow until 1670s. • Most slaves came from W. African coast. • Those taken as slaves were primarily wartime captives, criminals sentences to enslavement, or debtors.

  4. The Slave Trade • The Atlantic crossing, known as “the middle passage,” was atrocious. • For six to ten weeks, Africans were chained below decks in cramped, confining spaces. • Overcrowding, disease, and despair claimed many lives.

  5. http://www.history.com/shows/mankind-the-story-of-all-of-us/videos/african-slave-tradehttp://www.history.com/shows/mankind-the-story-of-all-of-us/videos/african-slave-trade

  6. OlaudahEquiano

  7. Equiano’s Background • According to his autobiography, Equiano was born a chief’s son of the Ibo (or Igbo) culture of present-day Nigeria. • Captured and sold as a slave to a series of African masters before making the journey to America on the Middle Passage. • Sold in the West Indies to a British Navy officer, Michael Pascal, who renamed Equiano as GustavusVassa.

  8. Equiano’s Background • Equiano spent years fighting for Britain in hopes of being freed for good service. • Sold again in 1762 to a Quaker merchant, Robert King, who trained him in business. • In 1766, after 21 years as a slave, Equiano bought his freedom, moved to London, and started a business career. • By 1773, he was at sea again, first to find a northwest passage, and later traveling the Central America and Turkey.

  9. Turning Points • In the late 1770s, Equiano returned to London and became involved in anti-slavery efforts and converted to Christianity. • When the debate over abolishing slavery came to Britain in 1789, Equiano wrote, self-published, and promoted his narrative. • His narrative exposed the cruelty of the slave trade. • He died in 1797, only ten years before Britain abolished the slave trade.

  10. A Closer Look • Equiano’s narrative contains many details, most of which can be supported by other sources. • In 1999, English professor Vincent Carretta uncovered two documents that suggested Equiano was not born in Africa • His baptismal record from England • A Ship’s passenger list Both identify Equiano’s birthplace as South Carolina!

  11. Historians continue to debate the evidence and how it may change the value of The Interesting Narrative. • Carretta points out that even if the narrative is based on oral accounts from other slaves, the descriptions still provide a valuable portrait of early African life and the Middle Passage.

  12. Literary Term • Slave Narrative—the life stories of people who survived slavery. • Portrays the culture shock of a newly captured African • Focuses criticism on slave traders, not slave owners • Includes religious and moral appeals against slavery

  13. Equiano’s Audience • Mostly American and European abolitionists. • Immediate purpose was to influence British political leaders who were debating the slave trade issue.

  14. Mrs. Mary Rowlandson • Background of the narrative: • Tensions were high in the Massachusetts Bay Colony at the end of the seventeenth century. • Relationships between Native Americans (Wampanoag) and Europeans had broken down. • Colonial troops began driving the Wampanoag from their land. • Cut off from food they stored for snowy months. • In desperate need of supplies • Angered by prior attack on Wampanoag

  15. Who was Mrs. Mary Rowlandson? • 40-year-old wife of a minister. • Watched feud carry on around their house. • Twenty colonists were killed and twenty-four were taken captive, including Rowlandson and her son and daughter.

  16. Rowlandson was held captive for three months before being ransomed back to her husband. • After their release, she wrote an account of her captivity. • First American bestseller written by a woman. • Spawned many imitations that claimed to be true, even though they were largely fictional.

  17. Impact of the Narrative • Rowlandson’s books offered a one-sided and negative view of the Native American; however, her observations helped explain Indian culture to colonists. • Much of her story concerned details of the Indians’ struggle for survival.

  18. What are the important events that take place in the excerpt? • What did you learn about the Native Americans? • What did you learn about Mary? • Any additional important information

  19. Your Homework • OlaudahEquiano & Mrs. Mary Rowlandson worksheet—due Tuesday, September 10th!

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