The Experience of Enslaved People PDF

# Chapter 6 - The Experience of the Enslaved People The transatlantic slave trade developed in response to a demand for labor, primarily in the American colonies. The largest exporter of slaves was the Kingdom of Dahomey, with an estimated 1 million slaves sold. ## The Human Cost The transatlan...

# Chapter 6 - The Experience of the Enslaved People The transatlantic slave trade developed in response to a demand for labor, primarily in the American colonies. The largest exporter of slaves was the Kingdom of Dahomey, with an estimated 1 million slaves sold. ## The Human Cost The transatlantic slave trade was a devastating tragedy. This chapter will present the human cost of the trade by examining the experiences of the enslaved people. Every number in the statistics presented reflects a living being suffering a cruel fate. ## Origins of the Enslaved The enslaved people came from a variety of backgrounds. Some were criminals, religious captives, or indebted servants. Some were given as tributes between states. But most of the enslaved were captured during wars or slave raids. - In the aftermath of war, prisoners of war were often enslaved. - Slave raids would target villages and take people captive. It is highly unlikely that most of the captives were combatants, as many perished in battles. The majority were adult males who were capable of participating in future wars. ## The Journey to the Coast Once captured, the enslaved people began the first leg of their journey. Most were imprisoned or captured in the interior. They were transported to the coast by local slave merchants who were often part of the same nobility that led the wars. The methods of transport varied: - **River travel:** Down the major rivers, such as the Congo or Senegal, by canoe or boat - **Caravan travel:** Via land caravans, either on foot or in a cart The length of the journey depended on the local geography, the place of capture, and existing trade practices. The treatment of the enslaved also varied. - **Enemies from wars:** Enemies from wars would likely be treated harsher with more physical abuse and less food. - **Cultural and economic factors:** Treatment also depended on the culture's social norms, as well as economic and climate factors. Some merchants did not take their slaves through the entire journey to the coast. Ones hailing from far interior regions were more likely to be sold to other traders along the continental slave trade network. ## The Waiting Period Once an enslaved person arrived at a port, they had to wait. Several factors impacted the length of this wait: - **Departure of Slave Vessels:** Slave vessels did not depart regularly. - **Local Bureaucracies and Customs:** Slaves had to pay tribute, finalize their deals, and receive clearance before boarding a ship. - **Gathering Enough Enslaved People:** European traders often waited for their African partners to gather enough enslaved people to fill their ships. The treatment of the enslaved people during the waiting period also varied. It was more tolerable if there were no wars, political upheavals, or droughts because there was a greater chance of their survival and more profit. The captive's lives were worth more if they survived long enough. ## Disembarking at a Port Once an enslaved person reached a port, it was the beginning of a more difficult journey. They were destined for a life of unending labor. The journey across the Atlantic became known as the Middle Passage. It was a journey fueled by the cruel treatment and unimaginable suffering of the enslaved people. ### Mortality Rates Mortality rates were high, and the journey was filled with disease, starvation, and brutality. - **Deaths Before Departure:** 5% of slaves died before even leaving the continent. - **Overcrowding:** The images we see portraying crowded ships are true. Although the enslaved people were packed tightly, modern scholars believe overcrowding was not the primary cause of death. - **Mortality Rates on Voyages:** Early voyages had a 20% mortality rate, but with time, that dropped to around 10% or less. ### The Journey Itself The conditions on ship were abominable. The enslaved people faced: - **Lack of Space:** Only about five to six square feet were allocated per person. - **Disease:** Diseases like malaria and yellow fever often spread rapidly. - **Treatment:** The enslaved people were often left to fend for themselves and even faced brutal punishments. ### Arrival in the Americas After the Middle Passage, the enslaved people suffered more abuse. They were forced into new labors, mostly on plantations, and often faced death. ### The Legacy of Enslavement The legacy of enslavement was profound. The enslaved people were treated as property, not as human beings: - **Slave Codes:** It is clearly evidenced in the various slave codes passed throughout this time. - **No Right to Marry or Have Possessions:** The enslaved people were not allowed to legally marry, have any kind of possessions, or assert any control over their lives. - **Severe Punishment:** Any act of disobedience, or even worse, rebellion, was severely punished with beatings or lashings. - **Running Away:** Attempts to run away or revolt were punishable by death in most cases. - **Torture:** Slaves were seen as property. They encountered racism, sexual assault, and torture. The transatlantic slave trade was a crime against humanity that impacted every aspect of the enslaved person's life. It had long-lasting consequences that continue to affect society today.