Slavery in the New

World

http://www.history.com/shows/mankind-the-story-of-all-of-us/videos/african-slave-trade?m=5189719baf036&s=All&f=1&free=false

Did slavery exist before the discovery of America?

Yes…it had existed for centuries before and in many different lands

It took many forms… Many were enslaved when they were captured

in battle or sold to pay off debts Some were mainly domestic servants, while

others worked in mines or fields Some were treated with respect Some were allowed to marry and own property Some of their children were allowed to go free

{They discovered and claimed many tiny islands off the coast of West Africa (Azores, Madeira Islands, Canary Islands)

Spain and Portugal had been exploring the west African coast for years before the discovery of the New World

{

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The climate on these islands was perfect for growing sugar cane

And when they discovered the New World they realized that the climate in the Caribbean was very similar

At first they tried to use Native Americans, but they died off…

But there weren’t enough…

They turned to Spanish slaves, black Christian slaves and Asia slaves

So they turned to Spanish slaves, black Christian slaves and Asia slaves

4 reasons why they turned to African slaves

Africans were more immune to most European diseases

They had not friends or family in the Americas to help them

Provided a permanent source of cheap labor

Many had already worked on farms in their native lands

{Spanish official in Peru

“The black slave is the basis of the hacienda and the source of all wealth which this realm produces.”

{African Diaspora

The forced removal of people from Africa

From the arrival of the first groups of slaves in 1509 to the late 1800’s over 12 million Africans had been shipped to the Americas…2 million died on the journey known as the middle passage

Middle passage: the journey from Africa to

the Americas

A Slave Auction

Many tried to run away…

So the settlers created slave codes which were laws regulating the treatment of slaves…

But most ignored the codes.

{Over time the Europeans came to associate slavery with black Africans…Dark skin became a sign of inferiority

Racism: the belief that some people are inferior because of their race

What does racism mean to you and is there still racism in

the world today?