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THE SOUTH. The Middle Passage and t he Rise of Slavery in the Colonies. Do Now. In a minute, I will ask you to complete a task. Do so quickly and quietly. FOCUS!!!!!!!! After the task is complete, you will return to your seats and answer the following questions:
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THE SOUTH The Middle Passage and the Rise of Slavery in the Colonies
Do Now • In a minute, I will ask you to complete a task. Do so quickly and quietly. FOCUS!!!!!!!! • After the task is complete, you will return to your seats and answer the following questions: • What sorts of emotions did you feel? • How would you describe your physical state? • If you were forced to stay like this for a longer period of time, how would you react? • How long would be too long?
Economics vs. Humanity • Why did slavery begin? • Economic need • Plantation wealth • Understanding of Africans(?) • Free!
The South: Plantation Economy • Fertile soil allowed for the flourishing growth of cash crops such as tobacco, rice, and indigo. • Instead of towns and cities, the South was mainly concentrated with plantations. • Planters saw little need for shops, because all of what they produced on their farms could be used to sustain their families.
Indentured Servants • Lowest class citizens– white men had no rights as servants • Those who lived through their harsh years of labor (many didn’t) saw their lives improve only slightly. • Bacon’s Rebellion – What do we remember about indentured servants’ lives post-servitude? • Between 1/2 and 2/3 of all of the white male population were indentured servants • Numbers declined • Reports of hardship reached Europe • Depleted labor force + Growing agricultural economy = ??????
Slavery in the New World • Enslaving NA’s and indentured servants was failing – Colonists looked towards Africans • Natives were: • Reluctant to learn English labor techniques • Could easily escape • ECONOMICS: • Slaves cost more than servants, but a slave worked for life. • Much larger return for the “investment”
Slavery in the New World • Most white colonists saw dark skin as a sign of inferiority. • During the late 1600s, Africans were being used as slaves throughout the English West Indies colonies (Barbados, Jamaica) • Imported to work on large, prosperous sugar plantations • Good deal? • Free labor, not humans • PROPERTY
The Triangle Trade • Africans had become part of the transatlantic trading network, the “Triangular Trade” • Rum and other goods went from New England to Africa, received slaves in return • Transported slaves to the West Indies and received sugar in return • Shipped sugar to New England to turn into rum
Where did we buy slaves? • Even after Europeans began transporting black slaves to America, most trade was just that: "trade" • In most instances, the Europeans did not need to use any force to get those slaves. • The slaves were sold more or less legally by their black “neighbors”. • About 12,000,000 Africans were sold by Africans to Europeans before 1776.
How did they get here? • The Middle Passage • Considered the “middle leg” of the transatlantic trade route. Horrors: • Branded with hot irons for identification • PACKED into dark holds of ships • Disease • Thrown overboard alive • Lack of food/water • Blood, sweat, vomit, urine, feces • 20% of Africans perished on the journey. • This is a BUSINESS!!! Needs to be run as efficiently as possible.
Statistics • By 1690 13,000 slaves in the Southern colonies • By 1750 200,000 slaves in the Southern colonies • Slavery turned into an institution that would use cruelty to keep the Africans from rising against their owners. • 80-90% worked in fields • 10-20% worked in the house or as artisans
OLAUDAH EQUIANO ALEXANDER FALCONBRIDGE • Make a list of all horrible conditions found in the brief primary document. • Share with the group nearest to you.
Homework SIGNED permission slip: AMISTAD • VERY IMPORTANT!!!!