Effects of Transatlantic Slave Trade

​Effects of the Transatlantic Slave Trade on the Americas & the African Diaspora

Multiple Choice

Where were the majority of enslaved people brought to as a result of the Transatlantic Slave trade?

• United States

• Peru

• Cuba

• Brazil

40-46% of captured Africans, roughly 5.5 million people, were brought to Brazil

Multiple Choice

How many revolts on slave ships occurred during the course of the Transatlantic Slave Trade?

• At least 500

• At least 100

• At least 50

• At least 300

In 1839, 53 Africans aboard a Spanish slave ship near Cuba revolted, killing most of the crew and forcing the remaining members to steer them back to Africa. However, they instead steered them towards the U.S.
They ended up in New York. The government charged them with murder. They were given a court trial to determine their fates.

This was a historic case, known by the name of the ship that they sailed on

Multiple Choice

What was the name of the ship where this famous slave revolt took place?

• The Mayflower

• The Pinta

• The San Martin

• The Amistad

Multiple Choice

The Amistad case drew in a lot of attention. Abolitionist groups supported the defense of the Africans. Meanwhile, the Spanish government pressured the U.S. return them to Spain. What was the outcome of this trial?

• The captives were returned to Spain

• All of the captives were sentenced to death

• It was ruled that they were illegally enslaved and were released

• They were found guilty and served a long prison sentence

While slavery was still legal in some parts of the United States in the 1830s, the slave trade had already been abolished by the U.S. and Spain.
The Court, determined that the Africans were illegally captured.

This was a major win for the Abolitionist movement and was one of the sources of tensions between pro and anti slavery forces that led to the Civil War about 20 years later

Multiple Choice

Around 2/3rds of people taken from Africa and brought to the Americas were forced to work on -

• sugar plantations

• cotton plantations

• tobacco plantations

• coffee plantations

Multiple Choice

Most sugar plantations were in the Caribbean and Brazil, and the condition on these plantations were so brutal, that the average lifespan after arrival was-

• 10-15 years

• 20-30 years

• 1-5 years

• 4-7 years

Multiple Choice

In the United States, sugar plantations weren't as common due to the climate. However, one state did have many sugar plantations, and today is still the largest sugar producer in the United States. Which state is it?

• Louisiana

• Texas

• Alabama

• South Carolina

Multiple Choice

The New Orleans region was the location of the largest slave rebellion in the southern United States. This slave rebellion began in La Place and the revolters marched (and gained more followers along the way) south, burning down several plantations. What was the name of this slave revolt?

• Denmark Vessey's revolt

• 1811 German Coast Uprising

• Nat Turners Revolt

• Stono Rebellion

Multiple Choice

Throughout the history of slavery in the Americas from the 1500s-1800s, many enslaved people resisted by running away. Many runaways formed communities in remote areas like swamps, jungles and mountains which provided defenses against recapture. Sometimes they blended with or established peaceful relations with indigenous populations. What were these communities of escaped slaves called?

• slave colonies

• maroon communities

• creole villages

• underground towns

Maroon communities were often skilled in guerilla (ambush/hit and run) warfare. Some maroon communities grew so powerful that they were able to negotiate treaties that respected their freedom and right to rule themselves. However, they often had to agree to terms to help the Europeans in some way. Sometimes they were recruited to fight in wars between European rivals.

On one island, there were two very powerful maroon communities. They were recruited by the Spanish to fight against the British who tried to claim the island from them. After the Spanish lost, the maroons continued to fight the British in several wars, which they won.

Multiple Choice

What is the name of this island where these 2 powerful maroon communities formed?

• Antigua

• Cuba

• Jamaica

• Haiti

The Windward Maroons in Jamaica were led by Queen Nanny, who helped around 1,000 slaves escape over her lifetime. She is celebrated in Jamaica

Open Ended

The largest slave revolt in history was successful, and led to the development of a country that was:

-The second colony in the Americas to gain its independence from European rule (and also fought off two other European countries that tried to seize it during the revolution)

-The first democracy ruled by former slaves

What country is this (it still exists today)?

​More than 12 million people were taken from Africa and brought to the Americas. As a result, throughout the Americas aspects of African culture blended with European and Indigenous cultures, to form cultural traditions that have shaped places like the Caribbean, the United States, Central and South America.

Open Ended

One cultural effect of the African diaspora is the development of new religions that blended Christianity with aspects of West African religions such as honoring spirits, called loas or orishas.

There are several different religions that fit this description. Name one of them

Open Ended

African influences can also be tasted in many foods still consumed throughout the Americas. Name one food consumed in the Americas that has African influences

United States​
Gumbo, Jambalaya, Black-eyed peas,
Collard Greens/Greens, yams, okra, cornbread, Fried Chicken, BBQ...

Caribbean
Callaloo, Rice and Peas, Jerk Chicken, Mofongo, Pelau, and Mondongo, tostones

Open Ended

African influences can also be heard in many genres of music throughout the Americas. Name one genre of music from the United States that has African influences

Open Ended

Name one genre of music from somewhere else in the Americas (Caribbean, Latin America etc.) that has African influences

​United States Genres :
Gospel, Blues, Jazz:, R&B, Soul, Funk, Rock, Hip-Hop

Latin American & Caribbean Genres:
Samba (Brazil), Rumba & Son (Cuba), Salsa (Cuba/Puerto Rico), Cumbia (Colombia), Merengue (Dominican Republic), Reggae andSka (Jamaica) Calypso, Reggaeton