The Middle Passage
By: Jade Baker
Triangular Slave Trade
The Middle Passage played a part in whats known as the Triangular Trade. The Triangular trade was basically a trading system where the slaves were traded for goods, which were brought back to the place or country the slaves came from.
Boarding The Ships
Slaves heading onto the ships had no idea what they were in for. People were torn away from there families and brought on board for a horrific experience. The slaves were forced to move onto the ships and when they entered, most thought they were about to get killed or put to their death.
The Slave Boats Went From Europe, To Africa, To America, And Returned Back To Europe With Goods.
Sickness And Death
Slaves were packed underneath the boat's deck, and packed tightly together. Soon enough the air was becoming hard to breathe, most people nearly suffocated. A few of the slaves eventually caught sickness, which spread to other slaves due to the lack of air and the closeness of people. If people were sick, they were to be chained to the wall to try to slow down the spreading, which did not help. As people died, the bodies were stacked in rows, with the people right next to each other. It was a very horrific experience for slaves that made it through.
The Average Life Loss Of Slaves Is Between 10-20%
(10% meaning 1,000,000, 20% meaning 2,000,000)
Organizing Slaves
Organizing Slaves
Underwater Sculptures Honoring Slaves Thrown Overboard
To Many, Death Was A Beter Option Than A Life In Chains. Those Who Failed To Successfully Kill Themselves Were Severely Punished.
Below Is More About The Middle Passage
The Middle Passage Slave Trade
Amistad
Amistad was a famous slave ship that captured around 53 African Natives, which were then sold out into the Spanish slave trade. While on the slave ship, one of the slaves known as Sengbe Pieh, broke free of chains and released the other slaves. Now released, the slaves killed close to all of the crew members including the captain and they brought the boat to Connecticut. When they reached Hartford, the slaves were accused of murder and piracy, which sent all 53 of them to prison.
Did you know, the meaning of the word Amistad is friendship in Spanish?
In this case, the slave ship was not a "friendly" place.
Amistad Ship
Death Of The Captain
Slaves Killing Crew Members
Citations
"The Middle Passage." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2015.
Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African. Written by Himself. 2 vols. (London: Author, 1789), Vol. 1, 70–88.
PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.
"PortCities Bristol." The Middle Passage. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2015.
"Revolt." Revolt. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2015.