Module 4- Slavery and the Middle Passage

Slavery in the colonies of America played a significant role in the development of the economy and future of this country. Of course, this chapter of American history will always be a dark one. There is no question as to whether slavery is considered inhumane and downright evil in today’s society. I cannot imagine the fear and terror that would have overcome an African taken as a prisoner never to see his or her home again.

Most Africans were enslaved through warfare or through small raids that occurred during the night. (Faragher, 2006, 86) These prisoners were then marched to the coast to be sold into slavery bound for the Americas. The African raiders were paid typically with European goods for trading their captives to European traders. Once the deals were made, the captives would be loaded onto ships to be shipped to the Americas.

The part of the journey by slave ships across the Atlantic was called the “Middle Passage.” (Faragher, 2006, 88) Slave ships were designed with the intent to transport as many slaves as possible. This meant that captives were packed below deck like sardines without much room to move or breath. In addition, the slaves were chained together to prevent uprisings and/or possible escape. The worst part of being below deck on a slave ship was, “the absence of adequate sanitation.” (Faragher, 2006, 88) Because there was so little space to move most captives urinated and defecated where they lie. This created filthy conditions that spread disease throughout the slaves, and many became sick and died. (Fargher, 2006, 89)

A former slave Olaudah Equiano composed the first-ever slave autobiography. In his narrative, Olaudah describes his experience while traveling the Middle Passage: "The closeness of the place, and the heat of the climate, added to the number in the ship. . . almost suffocated us. . . This wretched situation was again aggravated by the galling of the chains, now become insupportable; . . . The shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying, rendered the whole a scene of horror almost inconceivable." (Equiano, 1789)

More information on Olaudah Equiano can be found by entering the following web address,
http://www.pbs.org/thisfarbyfaith/people/olaudah_equiano.html

If the captives survived the long journey across the ocean, then the next stage of their nightmare would begin. They would be cleaned up and fed in order to appear healthy to buyers. Sometimes merchants sold the captives directly to willing buyers. In this method, the buyers would examine and poke the Africans before purchasing just as we do fruits. There were also auctions, “or another cruel method known as the scramble.” (Faragher, 2006, 89) During the “scramble,” Africans would be herded into corrals and then buyers would rush in to seize their pick. (Faragher, 2006, 89) This is similar, in a way, to when women wait outside of a bridal store to seize a wedding dress at a huge discount. After the sale was made, the slave would be taken to their destination, usually a plantation, to spend the rest of their lives working for a master.

Thankfully, slavery was abolished after a few hundred years, but the pain and suffering is irreversible. It amazes me that African slaves were able to endure through adversity for so long. Although the Africans were stripped from their homelands, they were still able to retain their beliefs and cultures through shear perseverance. The horror and inhumanity towards African slaves is hard to fathom. They are an important yet dark part of our history. Africans helped develop this country through their blood, sweat, and tears.