Preview

 Slavery in America began when the first African slaves were brought to
the North American colony of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619, to aid in the
production of such lucrative crops as tobacco.
 Slavery was practiced throughout the American colonies in the 17th and
18th centuries, and African-American slaves helped build the economic
foundations of the new nation.
 By the mid-19th century, America's westward expansion, along with a
growing abolition movement in the North, would provoke a great debate
over slavery that would tear the nation apart in the bloody American
Civil War (1861-65).
Reach Into Your Background

 What actions would
you take to get
something you really
wanted? What would
you do to hold on to
something that was
already yours?
(5 minutes)
Partner Activity

 Work with a neighbor
and compare your
answers with theirs.
What things are the
same and what things
are different?
(3 minutes)
Key Ideas- Slavery

Slavery was an ancient practice of taking captives
in war.
Muslims traded with East Africans for slaves.
The transatlantic slave trade began after
Europeans set up colonies in the Americas.
Slavery devastated those parts of Africa from
which slaves were taken.
Capture and the Middle Passage

 Most slaves were captured by
other Africans.
 West Africa is where the
majority of slaves came from.
 After capture, Africans were
packed tightly into slave ships.
 The death rate of the
“passengers” was 50%.
• Slaves were BRANDED with this tool
(permanent burn scar) to show they were
property.
The Middle Passage
Destination, Auction, and
Seasoning

Most Africans landed in Brazil with the least
number landing in North America.
Slaves were auctioned off to the highest bidder.
They learned a European language, were
named a European name, and were shown
labor requirements.
The Beginnings of Slavery in the
United States

 The Portuguese and
Spanish had already
brought Africans to South
and Latin America.
 In 1619, the first Africans
were brought to the colony
Jamestown, Virginia by the
Dutch.
Why Not Enslave the Native
Population?

 Native Americans were highly likely to catch
European diseases.
 They were familiar with the terrain and could escape
easier.
 They had political allies that could fight against the
“owners.”
Reasons for Using Enslaved
African Labor

Experience-They had previous experience and
knowledge working in sugar and rice production.
Immunity from diseases-Less likely to get sick
due to prolonged contact over centuries.
Low escape possibilities-They did not know the
land, had no allies, and were highly visible
because of skin color.
Anthony Johnson

 He was an African brought to the colonies in the
1620s.
 He obtained his freedom, and purchased 250 acres of
land in Virginia.
 He owned both slaves and white indentured
servants.
 This shows that blacks were not thought of strictly as
slaves until the 1660s.
The Effects of the American
Revolution and the Constitution

 Gradual abolition of slavery
in the northern colonies.
 End of the Atlantic Slave
Trade in 1808.
 Entrenchment of slavery in
the South with the invention
of the cotton gin in 1793 by
Eli Whitney.
Life of a Slave

 Most slaves had Sundays off and they went to church.
 Most slaves could not read or write, and it was illegal
for them to learn.
 Slave Codes-They could not: leave their home without
a pass, carry a weapon, gather in groups, own
property, legally marry, defend themselves against a
white person, or speak in court.
Resistance
Flight-Slaves would run away.
Refusal to reproduce-Women refused to
have children.
Covert Action-Slaves would sometimes kill
animals, destroy crops, start fires, steal
stuff, break tools, and poison food.
Punishment
Slaves were often
brutally punished for
misbehaving.
Punishments
included: whipping,
branding, being sold,
gagged (silence), and
other torturous
methods were used.
Underground Railroad
Many
abolitionists,
white and black,
tried to help
Southern slaves
escape to
freedom through
the Underground
Railroad.

Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman
was an ex-slave who
continued to go back
to the South and
help people find
freedom even
though her life was
constantly in
danger.
Video- Harriet Tubman
Famous People

 Frederick Douglass, a former slave,
was able to communicate the plight of
slaves as no one else could. He sought
to embody three keys for success in
life:
 Believe in yourself.
 Take advantage of every
opportunity.
 Use the power of spoken and
written language to effect
positive change for yourself and
society.
Video- Frederick Douglass
• Many freed
slaves went on
to fight for the
side of the
North during
the Civil War.
Jog the Web

1. Why would the rapid expansion of agriculture in the
Americas cause an increased demand for slaves?
2. Why did the Atlantic Slave Trade last as long as it did?
3. What impact did the slave trade have on African
society?
4. What role did Africans themselves play in the
continuation of the Atlantic trade of enslaved people?