Early Africa
These three early African kingdoms are evidence that Africa were civilized, wealthy, and advanced.
Ghana, Mali, Songhai
What was the Code Noir and what purpose did it have?
A set of regulations sent from the French rulers to the American French colonies; established and maintained control of slaves
Second Leg
What did “conditioning” mean in the context of slavery?
The process of breaking enslaved Africans into plantation life after survival from the MP and arrival onto the plantations.
Provide an example of a primary source AND secondary source that gives an account of slavery.
Primary: Eye witness account of Nat Turner's rebellion; Dred Scott Supreme Court excerpt
Secondary Source: Roots movie; Amistad movie; textbook
What city was famous as a center of learning and trade during the Mali Empire?
Timbuktu
Give one example of the differences in how slavery operated (treatment, expectations, etc.) across the colonies (New England, Middle, Southern).
New England (north) - not as many slaves; not really a common practice; more rights/freedoms; some worked aside owners; Quakers and abolitionists
Middle (NY, PA, DE, NJ) - more slaves than middle; construction workers like masonry; factory work; indentured servants; rough treatment
Southern (south) - slavery most common; field work/agriculture; plantations and cash crops; many slave revolts; supervised by overseers
The Second Leg of the trade system transported ____________ from __________ in exchange for __________________ from Africa.
manufactured goods (like weapons); Europe; Africans/enslaved captives
Provide an example of psychological or mental conditioning.
Explain in detail what it was and at least one outcome.
One example (there are more) Indoctrination and religious manipulation; using religion to control slaves behaviors and perception of slavery (Christianity is better; African religions are demonized); Slavery is in the Bible so it's necessary OUTCOME: Slaves turned on one another to maintain status on the plantation and stay "liked" by enslavers OUTCOME: Africans abandon their native religions/faiths
Who is Oluadah Equiano and what did he experience? Give specific details about him/his experience.
11 year old literate African captive who wrote about his capture on the MP; vivid descriptions including the sound of clanking chains, screams aboard the ship; ghastly smells of bodies and illnesses
The Nile River; transportation, food/water source, protection from enemies; cleaning; navigation
True or False: All states followed the same laws regarding slavery?
If false: what was the reason/motive?
False: different laws; different economics needs and beliefs in practicing slavery; allowed for varying political control and participation
Name 3 conditions both captives and/or capturers faced aboard Middle Passage ships.
Overcrowding and unsanitary conditions, disease, malnutrition, and death/suicide/murder, forced feeding, starvation
What were the "Great Gangs" and what type of work did they do?
One group that slaves were assigned to during conditioning; heavy lifting and field work; usually included the strongest slaves
What is a griot and what significance do they have?
A west African story teller; they preserve old African history
Why were gold and salt such important commodities in West African trade networks?
Gold was traded for other commodities and signaled wealth and status, while salt was essential for preserving food and human health.
Home of early German settlers whom were Quakers and Mennonites who opposed slavery; helped slaves escape and fought in abolitionist movements
How did the process of “seasoning” relate to the Middle Passage?
After surviving the Second Leg, enslaved Africans were often pushed into the “seasoning,” process which was the brutal and forced adaptation to labor systems, languages, and cultures in the Americas.
What benefits did conditioning create for enslavers?
Conditioning created power dynamics and allowed for immediate control. By renaming, enforcing European languages, and separating families, owners were able to erase cultural ties and reduce resistance and rebellion. They broke down family units and weakened mental strength/confidence
What do primary sources like "Amazing Grace" reveal about beliefs and understandings of slavery?
It complicated people's understanding about the relationship between Christianity and slavery; it revealed changing opinions and beliefs about slavery revealed regret, remorse, and resentance
Some historians argue that early Africa has no significance and should NOT be studied.
Provide one example of that disproves the idea that Africa has no significant culture and/or history.
1. Advanced universities in Timbuktu
2. Strong centralized governments in Mali and Songhai
3. Architectural achievements like the Great Zimbabwe ruins.
4. Ealy communication technology (hieroglyphics)
5. Domestication of animals and plants for survival
Explain the term social constructs and give an example of how they extended slavery.
How people are grouped in society based on traits and behaviors; created power dynamics between black and white people; white people are more powerful and valuable and advanced; black people are inferior and deserve less freedoms; slavery is justified
Historians argue that the Middle Passage demonstrates both the cruelty and the complexity of slavery as a system. Give one example of cruelty and one example of complexity from the Middle Passage experience.
Cruelty: physical abuse, forced confinement, high death rates.
Complexity: organization of ship layouts, rationing systems, and the development of creole languages as survival strategies.
Historians argue that conditioning shows both cruelty and complexity within slavery.
Provide one example of cruelty and one example of complexity.
Cruelty: beatings, forced renaming, destruction of families.
Complexity: organized gang labor system, linguistic adaptations, creation of Creole languages blending African and European influences.
How did Gomes Eanes de Zurara impact the early narrative of slavey?
He embellished Prince Henry's voyage; he was Henry's cheerleader and made his work look appealing; he cultivated beliefs that slavery was missionary work and based on religion