Slavery+in+the+American+Colonies


 * The capture of slaves- Slaves were typically captured on the West Coast of Africa. Great Britain began capturing slaves as early as the 1500's. As the demand grew, more and more slaves were taken. Slave trade accounts for the capture more than 6 000 000 slaves. Britain had the vast majority- a staggering 2 500 000 slaves. Once captured, Africans were marched to the sea chained together. They were then transported elsewhere, where they were to become slaves.

The following image shows slaves being lead to the coast of Africa to be transported into slavery.



Slave auctions**- Slave auctions occured when a slave owner needed money or was not happy with the performance of their slave. Slave auctions were often used as a form of punishment, because the slaves wanted to stay with their families. Most slave auctions were advertised and contained many slaves. The slaves stood on a platform and were sold in an auction where the highest bidder won. Slaves dreaded these auctions because they were sometimes split up from family. They didn't understand English; therefore, they didn't know what was going on.

Below is a picture of an advertisement that would go out for a slave auction.

http://www.beyondbooks.org/slavery/images/handbill.jpg


 * Transportation of slaves-** The transportation of slaves from Africa to America is known as the Middle Passage. Boats were used to move the slaves overseas, usually from Africa to the Americas. Many slaves that were taken to America were taken as a form of punishment. Prisoners-of-war were sometimes also sold into slavery. As the slave trade grew, many people started to build houses called barracoons, for the slaves to stay before they got shipped off. Slave trade between Africa and America was also called The Triangular Trade. As well, there was the trade of sugar, rum, tobacco, cotton, guns, alcohol, iron bars and slaves between Europe, America and Africa.

Below is a depiction of slaves on a boat overseas []
 * How often were slaves sold? With or without their families?**- Slaves were sold as often as the owner desired. Many slaves weren't sold at all, while others were sold numerous tiems. In general, slaves were sold without their families. The buyers usually chose the strongest and healthiest looking slave. Also, slave children were sometimes sold in different auctions than their parents.

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 * How did slaves react to being sold? Did they like chaging, or would they like the same enviornment?** Slaves hated being sold and they got very angry when/if they were sold. Sometimes their anger brought violence and rebellions. Most of the times there were rebellions, they resulted in punishment or even having to be killed. Depending on the environment the slaves were in, changing owners could be good or bad. Most owners treated their slaves poorly, but there were also some who would treat their slaves better.