First Person Accounts of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

First Person Accounts - Transatlantic Slave Trade

By Isiah Jones

Open Ended

When you think of 'resistance' against a powerful, unfair system, what actions or behaviors come to mind? Think big or small. List 3-4 examples.

Brainstorm individually for 2 minutes, then share with a partner for 2 minutes. Then Write your answer

​Summarize (Part 1): "So, Cugoano is describing being kidnapped and his plan to blow up the ship with others. He talks about his despair and betrayal. This shows me that one reaction was organized, violent resistance, even if it meant death."

HAPPY Analysis (Part 2):

• Historical Context: "He wrote this in 1787 in London. Why is that important? This was when the abolitionist movement was starting to grow in Britain. He's publishing this to influence that debate."

• Audience: "He's writing for the 'Inhabitants of Great-Britain.' He's trying to convince the British public and politicians that slavery is evil. This means he might be choosing stories that will shock and persuade them."

​Summarize (Part 1): "So, Cugoano is describing being kidnapped and his plan to blow up the ship with others. He talks about his despair and betrayal. This shows me that one reaction was organized, violent resistance, even if it meant death."

HAPPY Analysis (Part 2):

• Point of View (POV): "His POV is crucial. He is a former enslaved person, now a free abolitionist. His CORNPEG: Class: formerly enslaved, now educated author. Occupation: abolitionist. Nationality: African, then British. His entire purpose now is to end the slave trade. This shapes how he tells his story—he's building a case."

• Purpose: "His purpose is clearly to persuade and inform. He wants to expose the brutality of the slave trade to help end it."

​Summarize (Part 1): "So, Cugoano is describing being kidnapped and his plan to blow up the ship with others. He talks about his despair and betrayal. This shows me that one reaction was organized, violent resistance, even if it meant death."

HAPPY Analysis (Part 2):

• Why Significant?: "This is significant because it shows us that enslaved people were not passive. They actively resisted, even in extreme ways. But we also have to remember he's writing with a specific goal—to end slavery—which influences his narrative."

Multiple Choice

What does the "H" in HAPPY stand for?

• A) Historical Context

• B) Happy Analysis

• C) Human Perspective

• D) Historical Purpose

Multiple Choice

According to Document 1, what was Ottobah Cugoano's plan for resistance?

• A) To refuse to eat

• B) To jump overboard

• C) To burn and blow up the ship

• D) To start a disease outbreak

Multiple Choice

Why is it important that Cugoano wrote his account after he was free and living in London?

• A) It means his story is probably made up.

• B) It shows he could speak freely to advocate for abolition, which shapes his purpose.

• C) It proves that all enslaved people felt the same way he did.

• D) It indicates he was working for the slave traders.

Multiple Choice

A historian reads Cugoano's account. Which question would be MOST critical for the historian to ask, based on HAPPY analysis?

• A) How long did the voyage take?

• B) What specific year was he kidnapped?

• C) How might his role as an abolitionist have influenced which details he included?

• D) What was the name of the ship?

Experiences & Reactions	Resistance & Adaptation
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​Exit Ticket: Criteria for Success Prompt: Evaluate the claim: "The diverse ways enslaved people reacted to the Middle Passage is powerful evidence of their humanity, despite attempts to dehumanize them." Use evidence from two documents.

Criteria for Success:

• can state my position clearly.

• I can use specific evidence from two different documents.

• I can explain how my evidence supports my position.

• I can use relevant vocabulary.