The Triangular Trade (Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade) 5.6 I can describe the cultural and economic effects of the Triangle Trade. DEFINITION

Triangular Trade: Trade routes between Africa, Europe and the Americas during the Atlantic Slave Trade. Spain, Portugal,

& England

▶ They wanted enslaved peoples to work on their plantations in South America, the Caribbean, & North America ENGLAND

▶ At beginning, only a few slaves came to English colonies.

▶ But when tobacco, cotton & rice plantations grew in the colonies, slave trade increased.

▶ Britain was given control over much of slave trade → had a monopoly Maps of the Triangular Trade

Middle Passage

**lower mortality rate**

Leg One: THE OUTWARD PASSAGE ▶ Ships left Europe loaded with guns, tools, textiles (manufactured goods)

▶ Crews with guns went ashore to capture slaves & purchase slaves from tribal leaders.

▶ Slaves were obtained by: 1. Kidnapping 2. Trading 3. Tributes (gifts) 4. People in debt 5. Criminals 6. Prisoners of tribal wars Goree, or Slave-Stick

▶ A forked branch which opens exactly to the size of a neck so the head can't pass through it.

▶ The forked branch is pierced with two holes so that an iron pin comes across the neck of the slave . . ., so that the smallest movement is sufficient to stop him and even to strangle him Goree, or Slave-Stick

Forced Participation

▶ African Chiefs resisted in the beginning; BUT needed weapons for defense.

▶ Europeans too powerful; resistance was unsuccessful

▶ If chiefs did not supply slaves, they were threatened to be taken as slaves.

▶ Slaves were held in prisons along the west coast of Africa.

▶ They were waiting to put on slaves ships.

▶ Those that journeyed from the interior and were not fit for the ship were left on the shores to die Fort Elmina Leg Two: THE MIDDLE PASSAGE

↖ Voyage from Africa to Americas

↖ Ships sailed across Atlantic Ocean from Africa to Americas, carrying slaves & gold

↖ Journey took 5-12 weeks

↖ DISGUSTING CONDITIONS

↖ Some Africans tried to jump ship, refused to eat & rebelled.

↖ Loss of slave’s life = loss of $ for sailors.

Leg Two: THE MIDDLE PASSAGE

▶ “Loose packing”: captains took fewer slaves in hope to reduce sickness & death.

▶ “Tight packing”: captains carried as many slaves as their ship could hold → many died on voyage

Leg Three: THE HOMEWARD PASSAGE

▶ Africans sold at auctions in Americas

▶ Money from sale would buy cargo of raw materials: cotton, sugar, spices, rum, chocolate or tobacco.

▶ In Europe, converted raw materials into finished products.

Auctions ▶ There were 3 ways slaves were auctioned off: 1. Public Auctions: - They put tar on the slaves to hide any sores and cuts - Slaves were inspected - An auction to took place and the higher bidder would get to purchase the slave. - Bids were taken as long as an inch of a candle burned. - Slaves were branded - Families were separated - They were given a European name.

Auctions

2. Private Auctions:

↖ Similar to public auctions ↖ They were indoors and red markers would be placed on the door to indicate an auction.

Auctions

3. A Scramble: ↖ They would take place on the docks or on the deck of the ship ↖ There would be a fixed price per head ↖ Slave owners would go in and grab who they wanted to purchase. AUCTIONS

▶ American born slaves who had skills were most expensive ▶ African born slaves were less $, as they had to be “broken in” ▶ Age, sex, & skills determined cost ▶ Slaves with many scars considered too rebellious

SLAVERY ABOLISHED ▶ 1807 = slave trade abolished in British Empire → no slaves carried from Africa in British ships.

▶ 1834 = Emancipation Act: slaves under 6 yrs. old freed; field hands over 6 worked for 6 more years; house slaves worked 10 more years

▶ Britain gave 20 million pounds in compensation to former slave owners (slaves received nothing)

▶ British Empire:1838 all slaves given complete freedom ▶ Slavery in USA: abolished 1865 ▶ Slavery in Portuguese Brazil: abolished 1888 The Atlantic Slave Trade in Two Minutes

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▶ http://www.slate.com/articles/life/the_history_of_ american_slavery/2015/06/animated_interactive_ of_the_history_of_the_atlantic_slave_trade.html