Chapter 2 Test Practice: Middle Passage

Many captive Africans believed that the Europeans they encountered on the West African coast were

• animals

• ghosts

• gods

• cannibals

Which of the following statements best describes the triangular trade system produced by the Atlantic slave trade?

• One part of the system entailed traders carrying African goods to Europe in exchange for slaves, ivory, precious gemstones, and art works.

• The middle part of the trade included traders carrying African slaves to the West Indies and exchanging slaves for sugar.

• Sugar was exported to Australia on the third leg of the triangle.

• White Americans from Britain's New England colonies were not involved in the trade.

The food supply for enslaved Africans aboard a slaver was often insufficient to prevent malnutrition.

• True

• False

Overall, roughly half of enslaved Africans died during the Middle Passage or during "seasoning" on a Caribbean island.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Overall, roughly a third of enslaved Africans died during the Middle Passage or during "seasoning"

In the early 1400s, the ________ began to explore the coastline of Africa.

• Portuguese

• French

• English

• Dutch

Ship's surgeons were paid a bonus for slaves that survived the Middle Passage.

• True

• False

Why did Portuguese sea captains explore the west coast of Africa in the 15th century?

• They hoped to find previously unknown lands.

• They were interested in making scientific discoveries.

• They were interested in trade.

• They were interested in establishing military outposts.

Death rates aboard slavers dropped after 1750 because new laws were passed governing the conditions of slavers.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

By then, ships' surgeons knew more about hygiene and diet

In West Africa, _______________ conducted the Islamic slave trade.

• Arab missionaries

• Sudanese horsemen

• European merchants

• Ottoman officials

Which of the following was true of Creoles?

• Creoles were generally more familiar with European languages.

• Creoles never became accustomed to the diseases and climate of North America.

• Creoles refused to help train new arrivals.

• Creoles were considered less valuable than other Africans.