Amir Rahimdel February 14, 2012 Per. 4a slave ship, which was then riding at anchor, and waiting for its cargo. These filled me with astonishment, which was soon connected with terror, when I was carried on board. -Olaudah Equiano

THE LIFE OF OLAUDAH EQUIANO

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

What was happening in the Americas during the late eighteenth century?

SLAVERY!

The American and French revolutions promoted the beginning of the abolitionist cause. Africans began slave revolts in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in order to abolish commerce in human beings. Some freed slaves wrote books that exposed the cruelty of institutional slavery. Olaudah Equiano was one of the most significant of these revolutionary abolition leaders, who in 1789 published an autobiography explaining his experience as a slave and a free man in society (Olaudah Equiano 1745-1797).

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Olaudah Equiano, also known as Gustavas Vassa, was born around 1745 in the Essaka region of Africa and died on March 31, 1797 His father was one of the province's elders who decided disputes(Olaudah Equiano: Biography). He was captured at an early age by kinsmen who forced him into domestic slavery in another region of Africa. At eleven years old, he was a slave in the new world. He received naval training and learned to read in a school in England. The author is carried to Virginia(Olaudah Equiano). Despite his enslavement as a young man, he purchased his freedom and worked as an author, merchant and explorer(Olaudah Equiano: Facts Discussion Forum, and Encyclopedia Article). While loading a ship in Georgia, he had been almost kidnapped back into slavery. Equiano returned to Britain, where he returned to a life at sea in the Royal Navy(Equiano, Olaudah).

INFLUENCE ON THE WORLD

In order to express the cruelty of slavery, Olaudah Equiano writes his extraordinary autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, the African He travelled, especially to Britain, were he promoted the book, which became very popular. It eventually became a best-seller of the time, which at the same time was purposed to help the abolitionist cause. He bought his own freedom from slavery, in order to make this achievement. It is one of the earliest books published by a black African writer(BBC-HistoryOlaudah Equiano). First, he became involved in the political and legal efforts to outlaw slavery and the slave trade (Olaudah Equiano: A Critical Biography).

FAMOUS QUOTES

"The first object which saluted my eyes when I arrived on the coast was the sea, and a slave ship, which was then riding at anchor, and waiting for its cargo (Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano ). These filled me with astonishment, which was soon connected with terror, when I was carried on board (Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano). I was immediately handled, and tossed up to see if I were sound, by some of the crew; and I was now persuaded that I had gotten into a world of bad spirits, and that they were going to kill me (Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano). The first quote refers to the process he witnessed in commerce of human beings. The second quote refers to the emotional states of the victims, which reflected fear. The third quote refers to how slaves were physically abused through this drastic process.

PUBLICATIONS/ AWARDS

His autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano; or, Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself (1789), with its strong abolitionist stance and detailed description of life in Nigeria, was so popular that in his lifetime it ran through nine English editions and one U.S. printing and was translated into Dutch, German, and Russian(Olaudah Equiano Biography-Facts, Birthday, Life StoryBiography.com). Published his book portraying the harshness and cruel suffering endured by the African slaves working on plantations. His book is known as The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano; or, Gustavus Vassa, the African. This book motivated British lawmakers in Parliament to construct the Slave Act of 1807 to abolish the slave trade. Even though he was a popular figure in society, and served as the voice of the people, he did not gain any awards. Equiano's account is especially interesting in two respects: first, for its extensive recollections of the author's African childhood and his retention of an African point of view in judging experience and, second, for its rational economic argument against the slave trade(Olaudah Equiano Biography).

PHOTOS

PHOTO EXPLANATIONS

The first photo on the top left corner is a self portrait of Olaudah Equiano. The red jacket most likely resembles the land of Britain. The second photo to the right is a document in his book, which depicts where and when he was born. The third photo is a honorary memorial plaque, which signifies the importance of Olaudah Equiano within society. The fourth photo is another self portrait of Olaudah Equiano, which was displayed on the cover of his extraordinary biography. The fifth photo is an image of the greatly uncomfortable and often fatal middle passage slaves, including Olaudah Equiano, had to go through to reach the new colonies in the Americas. The conditions aboard the slave ships that brought the slaves to the New World were inhumane[PAL: Olaudah Equiano (1745-1797)]. The sixth photo is an image of his book, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano; or, Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself (1789). The seventh image displays what the slaves had to wear though the process of the slave trade.

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WORKS CITED

"BBC - History - Olaudah Equiano." BBC - Homepage. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. . "Equiano, Olaudah." Info:Main Page - New World Encyclopedia. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. . "Olaudah Equiano: Biography." Spartacus Educational. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. . "Olaudah Equiano (1745-1797)." Redirection to Equivalent @ Cengage. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. . "Olaudah Equiano: A Critical Biography." Brycchan Carey - Home Page. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. . "Olaudah Equiano Biography - Facts, Birthday, Life Story - Biography.com." Famous Biographies & TV Shows - Biography.com. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. ."Olaudah Equiano: Facts, Discussion Forum, and Encyclopedia Article." AbsoluteAstronomy.com. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. . "Olaudah Equiano." History Department, Hanover College. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. . "Olaudah Equiano Biography." Biography. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. ."PAL: Olaudah Equiano (1745-1797)." California State University Stanislaus | Home. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. .