Slavery in the Colonies

Slaves Waiting to be Sold

The Atlantic Slave Trade

• About 10 million enslaved Africans were transported to the Americas between the 1500s and the 1800s

• Africans were often bought or captured along the African coast to be sold in the Americas

Slaves Being Marched to the African Coast to be Sold

The Middle Passage

• Once Africans were bought they were transported across the Atlantic Ocean on a brutal voyage called the Middle Passage

• Slave-ship captains crammed as many slaves on a ship as possible

Slaves Being Crammed Into the Tight Quarters Below a Ship

Slave Ships

Diagram of a Slave Ship

Slave Ships

Diagram of a Slave Ship Up close

Destination of Enslaved Africans

Triangular Trade

• Triangular Trade was a three-way trade between the colonies, the islands of the Caribbean, and Africa

Triangular Trade

Slavery in the Colonies

• Slavery had existed since ancient times around the world, however, a harsher system of slavery developed over time

• Slaves were first introduced into Jamestown by slave ships

• Despite some early attempts to stop and limit it, slavery flourishes in the colonies

A Slave Owner Beats His Slaves

Slavery Takes Root

• Why does slavery take root in the colonies?– The plantation system in the south requires many

workers– Slaves were permanent and a huge profit could be

made off them– Racism– Colonists believed they were helping the Africans

by converting them to Christianity

Resistance to Slavery

• As the population of slaves increased, whites began to fear a slave rebellion

• Slave codes were passed to limit and restrict slaves

• Despite this, revolts and resistance still occurred until slavery ended in 1865 Slaves Revolt Aboard a Slave Ship