Origins of Slavery
What was one reason that people were brought to America as enslaved workers?
They were needed to work on plantations growing cash crops like sugar and tobacco.
What does "Middle Passage" mean?
It refers to the journey that enslaved Africans took across the Atlantic Ocean.
What was a common part of daily life for enslaved people on plantations?
They worked long hours in the fields.
What was the transatlantic slave trade?
The journey where many Africans were taken from their homes and brought to the Americas against their will.
What were conditions like during the Middle Passage?
Very overcrowded, with little food and bad sanitation, making it very dangerous.
What kind of punishments did enslaved people face?
They could be beaten or whipped for not following orders.
Why was slavery important to the economy of the colonies?
It provided the labor needed to grow and harvest cash crops that made money for the colonies.
Why are stories from people who survived the Middle Passage important?
They help us understand what enslaved people went through during their journey.
Despite their struggles, what did enslaved people create?
They developed their own cultures and traditions.
Can you name a cash crop that increased the need for enslaved workers?
Tobacco or sugar
What was one major problem for people on the ships during the Middle Passage?
Many people got sick and died because of the terrible conditions.
What was one way enslaved people resisted their situation?
They would try to escape or sometimes rebel against their owners.
What did colonists want that made them turn to slavery?
They wanted a cheap and steady source of labor for their farms.
How did the Middle Passage change the lives of Africans?
It separated them from their homes and families and caused great suffering.
How did enslaved people keep their culture alive?
They shared stories, music, and traditions from their African heritage.