Grade 7 History Lesson 8

Topic:Revision

Presented By: MRS SUNICHUR

Pitlochry Primary School Educator

Dear Grade 7 learnersIn todays lesson we are going to revise what we have learnt about “The transatlantic slave trade”. You will still need to go through all the tasks and activities from Task 1 to Task 7 in preparation for our test next week. You may also consult other sources of information in your studies.

Introduction

During the Industrial Revolution in Britain there was a huge demand for raw materials. However, these could not be grown in Britain because of the unsuitable climate and poor soil condition. During this time America was a British colony, with suitable conditions to establish huge plantations to grow the raw materials needed to supply the British industries. Slaves from West Africa were brought to the South American states to work on the plantations. The slaves suffered huge hardships and made attempts to resist their inhumane treatment. Nat Turner, Joseph Cinque' and John Brown led rebellions against slavery. Harriet Tubman used the Underground Railroad system to free many slaves. Transatlantic slave trade benefitted Amereica and Britain immensely, but had far-reaching negative impact on West Africa.

West Africa before the European slave trade

• Trans-Saharan slave trade began before Islam became a widely accepted religion.

• Arabs bought slaves in West Africa and took them to other countries.• It is estimated that Arabs enslaved between 11-18 million slaves over

a few hundred years.

The nature of slavery in West Africa before Europeans• Slavery was a part of everyday society.• Slaves were considered a symbol of wealth.• Slaves were captured in wars and raids on other tribes. They were

sometimes criminals or people who could not pay off their large debt.• They were sometimes people accused of witchcraft.• These slaves had some rights eg they could marry, own their own

slaves or even inherit from their owners.• Those slaves taken to other countries by the Arabs had fewer rights.

Slavery in the American south

• Huge farms called plantations grew crops such as rice, cotton and tobacco.

• America was a British colony and Britain needed raw materials for their growing textile industries.

• America had a suitable climate and good soil for the crops needed.

Reasons for using slave labour

• Native Americans lived off the land. They had all the resources they needed so they could not be forced into labour on the plantations. They moved further West as the Europeans took over more land.

• American plantation owners started hiring indentured labourers. These were workers from countries like Britain, Germany, Scotland, and Ireland. Plantation owners became unhappy with this system because there were not enough labourers and many who became skilled left the plantations they were working on.

• Working on these plantations was very labour intensive and using slave labour became much more profitable for the plantation owners. They could own and control their own workers.

How slaves were captured and hardships they endured on the ships• Men, women and children were captured and 'death marched' to the

coast.• Slave traders built forts where slaves were kept while they were

waiting for the slave trading ships.• Slaves experienced severe hardships on the ships such as, lack of

clothing, no sanitation, severe over-crowding, no place to sleep, being whipped and beaten and being kept below deck

Slave markets

• Slaves were auctioned like cattle• Eyes and teeth were examined to check the health condition• Slaves were often rubbed down with fat to make their skin shine• Young, strong or pretty slaves were sold at a higher price• Skilled slaves were also sold for a higher price• Family members were often split up• Slaves were branded by their owners

Impact of the slave trade on slaves

• There were different types of slaves. Those who worked inside the house were treated slightly better than those who laboured in the field. The role of baby-sitter or cook were sought after.

• Slaves had no rights and very few possessions.• They were given names by their masters and were branded with a red

hot iron.• They were not allowed to practice their traditional religion. • Slaves were punished if they did not work hard enough, if they talked

back to their master or if they were caught in a fight.

Impact of the slave trade on slaves continued

• Punishments included: - whipping - being chained up - being forced to wear a metal collar - locked in a small space for days with only bread and water • Slaves were punished in many inhumane ways• The slave masters did not want to kill the slaves as they had paid

money for them

Slave songs and stories

• Slaves created songs and stories to get away from the harsh conditions and the boredom of repetitive work

• Songs and stories were an expression of their religious faith and hope that they would overcome their dreadful conditions

• Songs were used to communicate messages as well• The stories often involved a weak character who overcame

tremendous odds to gain victory• Stories were also used to teach right from wrong

Slave resistance

• Slaves resisted in both passive and violent ways.• Sluggishness, indifference, shirking, alcoholism and flight were

examples of passive resistance.• Arson and murder were examples of violent resistance.• Some slaves were driven to suicide by the harsh, painful life.

Nat Turner

• Nat Turner led a rebellion in 1831.• He had about 70 followers.• They used axes, knives and blunt instruments in an attempt to move quietly.• They killed 60 men, women and children.• The rebels were captured by 3000 soldiers.• Nat Turner and 56 of his followers were hanged.• Slave owners became afraid of similar attacks and many innocent slaves were killed as a result.• Laws were passed that prohibited slaves from meeting unless they were accompanied by a white

minister and it became illegal to teach slaves to read and write.• Nat Turner is considered a hero.

Joseph Cinque'

• He led a revolt on a slave ship the 'Amistad'.• They overthrew the crew and killed 4 people including the captain.• They told the crew to take them back to West Africa.• They were tricked and arrived in America where they were captured.• They were eventually tried and set free.• This is an example of a case where the slaves were victorious.

Harriet Tubman and The Underground Railway

• The Underground Railway was a secret route that was used to help slaves to escape to the northern states of America.

• A system of coded words was used to assist escaping slaves: - Stations were safe houses - Passengers were slaves - Conductors were guides - Station Masters were the owners of the safe houses• Harriet Tubman was a slave who helped 300 slaves to escape .• She was never captured and went on to fight for womens' rights.

John Brown

• John Brown was passionate about ending slavery.• He believed that slavery could be ended through violent means.• He raided an armoury in an attempt to get guns for the slaves.• His house was burned down, and his sons klled by people who did not

want slavery abolished.• He was hanged for treason and is considered a martyr for the cause

of ending slavery.

The impact of transatlantic slave trade on the economies of West Africa, America and Britain • West Africa Some historians argue that West Africa gained in the sense that they obtained goods that they would not otherwise have had. West African slave traders benefitted immensely. However, no other industries were developed during this period. The strongest of the population were sold as slaves and this impacted negatively on the economy.• AmericaAmerica gained wealth and slave owners became very wealthy.

Impact on the economy of Britain continued

• BritainBritain gained raw materials that fuelled the industrial revolution and led to a strong British Empire. Many people became wealthy. Slave traders, bankers, factory workers and even ordinary people benefitted.

Revision Activity

1. Discuss how the use of slaves on the American plantations benefitted the plantation owners (4)2. Do you think they were justified in their use of slaves on the plantations? Explain. (4)3. Briefly explain how people became slaves in West Africa. (3)4. What hardships did slaves experience on their journey by ship to America? (5)5. ' Slaves were auctioned like cattle' at the slave markets. Critically discuss this statement. (5)

Revision Activity continued

6. Discuss the roles played by Nat Turner, Joseph Cinque' and John Brown in the rebellion against slavery (12)

7. Explain how the Underground Railroad system worked. (6) 8. Discuss how Harriet Tubman made use of the Underground Railroad system to free slaves. (4)