Columbian Exchange
Define "Columbian Exchange."
The trading of flora, fauna, and pathogens that occurred following colonial conquest between Afro-Eurasia and the Americas.
Define "Atlantic Slave Trade."
The forced transport of millions of Africans to the Americas between the 16th and 19th centuries to work as slaves, mainly on plantations to produce raw materials (resources) for European colonizers.
Define "Age of Discovery."
Time period in which the Europeans sought to explore and colonize the New World from the 1400s to the 1800s; driven by the “Three Gs.”
Explain the difference between Modern Slavery and Historical Slavery.
Modern slavery is illegal everywhere and continues through corruption and crime.
There are more slaves today than ever, but they are a smaller percentage of the global population.
Modern slaves are much cheaper (around $50–$60), making them disposable compared to costly historical slaves.
Lower prices lead to harsher treatment and shorter relationships between slaveholders and slaves.
Modern slaveholders can earn much higher profits than in historical slavery.
No single industry today depends entirely on slavery, unlike plantations during the Atlantic slave trade.
Define "Genocide."
A range of actions that demonstrate the intent to destroy a specific group of people.
How is the Columbian Exchange linked to Globalization?
For the first time, humans created international networks that provided an interconnectedness amongst the global community.
Describe the Middle Passage using at least THREE distinct details.
The Middle Passage was the brutal sea journey enslaved Africans endured across the Atlantic Ocean from Africa to the Americas (and the Caribbean). People were packed tightly in unsanitary conditions, faced extreme heat and disease, and many died from starvation, abuse, or despair during the voyage.
Identify the Three Gs and explain how each one encouraged Europeans to colonize the Americas.
1. Gold – Europeans wanted to find valuable raw materials and wealth like minerals, wood, coffee, etc.
2. Glory – They sought power and prestige by claiming new lands and expanding their empires' global influence.
3. God – They aimed to spread Christianity and convert Indigenous peoples to their religion.
Each goal encouraged exploration and colonization as Europeans competed for riches, influence, and religious influence in the New World.
What is ONE strategy that is used to prevent modern slaves from escaping their enslavement? Explain this strategy.
Inheritance of debt: Family members, including children, inherit the debt and are forced into bonded labor, trapping entire families for generations. This life is all they know.
Exploitation of migrant workers: Migrants often become bonded laborers to repay smugglers, fearing escape due to risk of deportation.
Lack of alternatives: Employers may join forces to restrict employment opportunities. Workers may be forced tied to a debt they can’t pay off due to low wages, high interest, and deductions for food and lodging.
Lack of or poor enforcement: Government and institutions fail to enforce International anti-slavery law.
Why is Dr. Gregory Stanton's 10 Stages of Genocide considered a "predictive model"?
It "predicts" a genocide by outlining the warning signs that typically occur before and during genocides; this allows for people to recognize early indicators of genocide at take action before it escalates (worsens).
During the Columbian Exchange, smallpox was introduced from the Old World to the New World. Explain why this is important and how it changed peoples' lives.
Smallpox devastated Indigenous populations in the New World, killing millions and weakening societies, which made colonization easier for Europeans.
Why were some African kings and people complicit (obedient) in the African Slave Trade?
By selling prisoners of war, criminals, or rival captives to European traders, they were provided goods like weapons, textiles, and alcohol. They often did not view those they sold as fellow Africans but as outsiders or enemies, and the trade became a means to gain wealth and political power.
What methods did Europeans use to colonize the New World and why were they effective?
Europeans used any means necessary--usually violence--to colonize the New World, including warfare, forced labor, and intimidation. They also used alliances, religion, and technology to control Indigenous peoples. These methods were effective because they overwhelmed native populations, disrupted existing societies, and secured European power and resources.
Identify TWO types of jobs modern slaves are forced to work and explain why they are "needed."
Bonded Labor and/or Serfdom: Needed for growing crops like cotton and sugar, where cheap, continuous labor maximizes profits on plantations and farms.
Forced Labor: Industries rely on forced workers because they provide low-cost, intensive labor in dangerous conditions that regular workers avoid, especially in the mining and manufacturing industries.
Domestic Work and Child Labor: Vulnerable people and children are exploited for household chores or factory work, where supervision is limited and wages are minimal.
Sexual Exploitation (Martial and Sexual Slavery): Used by traffickers and armed groups for profit through exploitation or coercion in conflict zones.
Before and during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, the RTLM Radio Station in Rwanda that was owned by Hutus (the dominant group) referred to Tutsis (the targeted group) as "cockroaches."
Which stage of genocide is exemplified and why?
Dehumanization, as the targeted group (Tutsis) are treated as non-humans that lack personal dignity as seen through name-calling/verbal attacks.
During the Columbian Exchange, cattle was introduced from the Old World to the New World. Explain why this is important and how it changed peoples' lives.
Cattle provided meat, milk, and labor, transforming diets and farming in the New World. However, they also damaged Indigenous ecosystems by overgrazing grasslands, trampling crops, and competing with native animals, which forced changes in traditional land use and disrupted local agriculture.
Identify and explain TWO ways in which the Transatlantic Slave Trade impacted the continent of Africa? Remember that we still see its effects today!
Population loss (especially young and able-bodied men) which stunted the long-term economic and social development of Africa.
Increased conflict between African groups/tribes that led to violence that is clearly shown in internal instability today.
Economic dependency on the Transatlantic Slave Trade that did not allow for African industry to develop and therefore harming the overall development of African countries that are still Third World countries today.
Increased vulnerability of Africa as a continent of "weak" countries that were easier to colonize.
Identify TWO cash crops and explain why they were so profitable.
Two cash crops were sugar and cotton. They were so profitable because sugar was in high demand for sweetening foods and making rum, while cotton was essential for the growing textile industry. Both crops required large plantations and enslaved labor, which maximized production and profits for European colonizers.
Which types of characteristics do countries with a very high prevalence of modern slavery share? Identify and explain at least TWO.
Low Income and Poverty: High levels of poverty increase vulnerability to exploitation and forced labor.
Weak Rule of Law and Corruption: Ineffective legal systems and corruption allow traffickers to operate with impunity.
Conflict and Political Instability: Ongoing conflict and instability displace populations, increasing the risk of exploitation.
Lack of Education and Awareness: Limited access to education reduces knowledge about rights and risks, making people more susceptible.
Exploitative Economy: Large informal or unregulated labor markets make it easier for exploitative labor practices to persist unnoticed.
Under the Communist Khmer Rouge regime led by Pol Pot, pro-democratic Cambodians were identified and ordered to wear a blue-and-white checked scarf at all times.
Which stage of genocide is exemplified and why?
Symbolization, as the scarf was used as a way to visually illustrate the classification of the Communists ("Us" as in the dominant group) versus the Pro-Democratic peoples ("Them" as in the targeted group).
During the Columbian Exchange, tobacco was introduced from the New World to the Old World. Explain why this is important and how it changed peoples' lives.
Tobacco became a highly profitable cash crop in the Old World, creating economic demand that fueled colonization and the Atlantic Slave Trade, while also leading to widespread addiction and health problems.
Illustrate Triangular Trade and relate it back to Globalization.
Shows (1) enslaved Africans moving from Africa to the Americas, (2) raw materials (resources) moving from the Americas to Europe, and (3) manufactured goods moving from Europe to Africa (and then the Americas).
The Triangular Trade helped start globalization by connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas through the exchange of goods, people, and ideas, creating early global economic and cultural links. However, it also had negative consequences, such as the forced enslavement and exploitation of African people.
Describe at least THREE details of sugarcane production, especially as it pertained to the "need" for slave labor.
1) It was time and location sensitive—sugarcane had to be harvested quickly in tropical climates to avoid spoilage.
2) The process was systematic, requiring many workers for planting, cutting, processing, and refining the cane at different stages.
3) It was extremely labor intensive, demanding hard, continuous work that only large groups of enslaved people could provide to keep plantations productive and profitable.
How can countries decrease or maintain a very low prevalence rate of modern slavery? Identify at least TWO strategies.
Implement and Enforce Strong Legislation
Conduct Regular Labor Inspections
Provide Support and Protection for Victims
Promote Public Awareness and Education
Harsher Punishments for Perpetrators
Within just a few months, almost the entire population of Armenians (the targeted group) living in the Ottoman Empire were packed onto trains by the Turks (the dominant group) and deported to the Syrian Desert. The Turkish authorities were aware that the chances of survival were almost none.
Which stage of genocide is exemplified and why?
Persecution, as the victims of the targeted group (Armenians) are identified and deported (sent out of the country).