The Atlantic Slave Trade and Middle Passage
What was the "Middle Passage"?
The Middle Passage was the terrifying two-to-three-month journey across the Atlantic Ocean where kidnapped Africans were forced onto crowded ships headed for the Americas.
Describe the work conditions in the South for enslaved Africans.
Work was strenuous and exhausting; enslaved people were often whipped by overseers hired to direct their labor.
How was "African-American culture" formed?
It was formed by combining various traditions from different West African ethnic groups. It included oral traditions, secret lessons passed down through folktales, and unique ceremonies such as "jumping the broom".
What were plantations?
Plantations were large farms where enslaved people were forced to work, typically producing cash crops for the market.
What were the two white social/economic groups in the South? Describe the social/economic divisions.
The Planter Class: Wealthy, powerful elite who owned many slaves and controlled politics.
Small White Farmers: The majority of the white population who owned few or no slaves but often supported the system in hopes of gaining wealth.
How were Africans typically captured before being put on ships?
They were often kidnapped from their homes by rival groups or European traders.
Describe the living conditions in the South for enslaved Africans.
Most lived in small, one-room cabins furnished only with sleeping cots.
What was the purpose of the "jumping the broom" ceremony?
Since they were not legally allowed to marry, the ceremony was meaningful and served to show their commitment to each other.
Why did a plantation economy dominate the South?
The South had ideal soil and an almost year-round growing season perfectly suited for plantation crops like rice and tobacco.
What was the planter class?
The planter class was an elite group of slave-holding families who had the money or credit to buy the most slaves. Their wealth allowed this relatively small upper class to take control of the South's political and economic power.
According to the text, what were the conditions like below deck during the Middle Passage?
Conditions were filthy, dark, and tightly packed; people were provided with very little food or water, leading many to become sick or die.
Describe the occupations (jobs) held by enslaved Africans in the South.
While many worked on plantations, others in cities worked as domestic servants, skilled craftsmen, factory hands, and day laborers.
Who is "Br’er Rabbit," and what did his stories teach enslaved people?
He was a small, clever animal in folktales who outsmarted larger predators. His stories were secret lessons on how to survive and outwit powerful slaveholders.
Why didn't the South develop large cities?
Plantations were self-sufficient and required no outside help, which made large cities like those in the North rare in the Southern region.
Which two regions were the primary buyers of the cotton produced in the American South?
The textile mills of England and the American Northeast.
Explain what "chattel slavery" means.
Under chattel slavery, a person is considered legal property for life, and their children are born into slavery as well.
Describe the lives of families in the South for enslaved Africans.
Families were frequently torn apart by sales, causing immense grief. Mothers tried to protect their children, and parents often risked punishment to sneak away and visit children on other plantations.
What types of ingredients were enslaved people typically given, and how did they transform them into what we call today “Soul Food”?
They were given leftovers like cornmeal, leafy greens, and cheap cuts of meat. They used their knowledge of African spices and cooking styles to turn these simple ingredients into delicious meals.
Why were indentured servants a poor choice of laborers for Southern plantation owners?
Planters had difficulty finding enough workers as the economy grew. While they initially used white indentured servants, these workers eventually left to start their own farms.
What was the connection between cotton and the treatment of enslaved Africans?
As cotton earnings and the price of slaves rose throughout the 1800's, enslaved people were treated less like human beings and more like "stolen treasure" or valuable property. Owners used extreme violence to maintain control of these "valuable" assets.
What are the main differences between an indentured servant and an enslaved person?
Choice: Indentured servants chose to sign a contract for a few years, while enslaved Africans were forced into the system.
Permanence: Servants worked for a specific period, whereas enslaved people were considered property for life.
Describe the religion of enslaved Africans in the South
Initially, most Africans held Islamic and traditional West African beliefs, but many later adopted Christianity, emphasizing themes of liberation and equality. They also used spirituals, which often contained coded messages about escaping.
What were the two African-American social/economic groups in the South? Describe the social/economic divisions.
Enslaved Africans: Forced laborers considered legal property.
Free Blacks: Individuals who were born free, bought freedom, or were freed; they faced discrimination and the threat of being kidnapped into slavery.
Why did Southern plantations become dependent on enslaved African laborers?
Enslaved laborers were turned to work the plantations of the South because they could be kept permanently and could not escape.
What happened in 1808 that changed how enslaved people were acquired in the United States?
It became illegal to import Africans for use as slaves, which caused the trading and price of enslaved people already in the country to increase further.