Do Now: Transatlantic Slave Trade

When did the Atlantic Slave Trade primarily occur and approximately how many Africans were forcibly brought to the Americas?

• Early 14th to late 17th century, 5 million Africans

• Late 15th to mid-19th century, over 10 million Africans

• Mid-16th to early 20th century, 20 million Africans

• Early 17th to late 18th century, 8 million Africans

What was a primary reason for the high demand for labor in the new American colonies?

• The need for skilled artisans to build new cities.

• The labor-intensive nature of crops like sugarcane, tobacco, and cotton.

• A shortage of European settlers willing to migrate.

• The desire to establish large industrial factories.

How did some African kings and merchants initially participate in the Atlantic Slave Trade?

• They were forced into it by European military might.

• They traded manufactured goods, weapons, and rum for criminals, debtors, or prisoners of war from rival tribes.

• They willingly sold their own citizens for gold and silver.

• They established their own shipping routes to the Americas.

What was a common experience for enslaved Africans during the Middle Passage?

• They were given ample space and food to ensure their health.

• They were often thrown overboard if they became sick or as a form of discipline.

• They were allowed to communicate freely with each other and the crew.

• They were taught new skills to prepare them for work in the Americas.