African Slave and African Slave Trade
African Slavery and the Slave Trade
African Slavery and the Slave Trade was one of the most devastating events that took place between us African Americans. African slavery all began back in 1482 when the Portuguese built their first permanent trading post on the Western Coast of present day Ghana. The Elimina castle later became one of the most important stops on the route of the Atlantic Slave Trade. The Dutch seized the fort from the Portuguese in 1637 and traded slaves there until 1872 when they surrendered to the British. About ten million African slaves were kidnapped; usually from peaceful tribes because of their lack of defense. “The captured slaves were forced to march to the Atlantic coast which at times was over one hundred miles (A. Dunaway, W.).” Upon arrival at the castle the slaves were then kept in dungeons and sometimes spend months chained up while awaiting shipment. Female slaves were raped by castle governors while awaiting shipment. When the next slave ship arrives and prices were finalized the slaves were then made to walk through the door of “NO RETURN”. Slaves were then forced to board the slave ship to their new world. Slaves were then shipped to the Americas. Slaves were kept in appalling conditions under the deck with just left1ft x 4in for men, 5ft 10in x 1ft 4in for women and babies. “Upon arrival in the Americas slaves get inspected and sold to their new owners. (A. Dunaway,W).” The new owners then hold auctions to sell the slaves for a profit to slave buyers; younger slaves cost more money at auctions. On the day of auctions, slaves were showcased for bidding in public and sold to their masters. The newly bought slaves were then put to work on a large plantation 24/7 for $0.00. Female slaves were raped by their masters and forced to bear their rapist children. The most popular method used in whipping the slaves was by tying them to a tree. Others were severely beaten and left to die. Back in Africa, local warriors fought a fierce
African Slavery and the Slave Trade was one of the most devastating events that took place between us African Americans. African slavery all began back in 1482 when the Portuguese built their first permanent trading post on the Western Coast of present day Ghana. The Elimina castle later became one of the most important stops on the route of the Atlantic Slave Trade. The Dutch seized the fort from the Portuguese in 1637 and traded slaves there until 1872 when they surrendered to the British. About ten million African slaves were kidnapped; usually from peaceful tribes because of their lack of defense. “The captured slaves were forced to march to the Atlantic coast which at times was over one hundred miles (A. Dunaway, W.).” Upon arrival at the castle the slaves were then kept in dungeons and sometimes spend months chained up while awaiting shipment. Female slaves were raped by castle governors while awaiting shipment. When the next slave ship arrives and prices were finalized the slaves were then made to walk through the door of “NO RETURN”. Slaves were then forced to board the slave ship to their new world. Slaves were then shipped to the Americas. Slaves were kept in appalling conditions under the deck with just left1ft x 4in for men, 5ft 10in x 1ft 4in for women and babies. “Upon arrival in the Americas slaves get inspected and sold to their new owners. (A. Dunaway,W).” The new owners then hold auctions to sell the slaves for a profit to slave buyers; younger slaves cost more money at auctions. On the day of auctions, slaves were showcased for bidding in public and sold to their masters. The newly bought slaves were then put to work on a large plantation 24/7 for $0.00. Female slaves were raped by their masters and forced to bear their rapist children. The most popular method used in whipping the slaves was by tying them to a tree. Others were severely beaten and left to die. Back in Africa, local warriors fought a fierce