Atlantic Slave Trade - slave factories

Atlantic Slave Trade - slave factories

1. African s lave factories

2. LEARNING INTENTIONS Describe the workings of slave factories in Africa Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

3. Once Africans were captured they were taken to the coast of Africa. They were held in prison-type locations (sometimes called slave forts or factories ) before later being put on slave ships. Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

4. Gangs of slave hunters (made of Europeans or Africans) would kidnap Africans to sell them into slavery. Other Africans were taken to be slaves because they owed a debt , had broken a tribal law or had been captured by the enemy during a war . Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

5. Kidnapped Africans often faced a long and difficult walk back to the coast, although kidnappers were sometimes on horses . This journey could involve walking for hundreds of miles. It often took months to reach the African coast. Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

6. The journey to the coast was very difficult. Not only was it a long walk in extremely hot weather , but they were often made to wear chains to stop them running away. Many Africans died on this journey . Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

7. After capture, Africans would usually be taken to slave factories , which were found on the African coast. These were locations (often forts ) where slaves were held before being sent on a ship to the Americas. They were run by a factor . Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

8. The factories were originally opened to provide protection to the Europeans that had settled in Africa. This included securing the resources they mined, such as gold . Over time they were converted to be prisons for the captured Africans. Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

9. When Africans first arrived at the factories, they would often be checked by a doctor or surgeon . This was to check if they had any diseases , to try and prevent them from spreading this to other Africans being held. Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

10. There were various forms of security at the factories, including male slaves kept in chains to stop revolts. Guards would be employed to watch over the captured Africans, and stop outside attack too. Others forts had cannons too. Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

11. Conditions in slave factories were very poor. Slaves were expected to work when in the factory e.g. grow food. Slaves could be held for months at a time, and disease was common. In the 1770s, almost half of slaves in factories died before transportation. Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

12. When not working, Africans were often held in dungeons , with males and females being separated. Violence was common towards the Africans, including female slaves being raped and sexually assaulted. Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

13. By contrast, there was also sometimes better accommodation in the forts for the Europeans, especially owners. This included dining rooms, bedrooms and chapels for going to religious services. Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

14. One of the most slave well-known factories was Bance Island in Sierra Leone. It is estimated 13,000 Africans left from this location. At one stage this fort was owned by Scotsmen Richard Oswald and Alexander Grant. Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

15. Slave ship captains would sail from one fort to another to buy all of the Africans they wanted. They would try to negotiate prices as they did this. Other times a slave ship would be filled by Africans from just one slave factory. Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

16. After being held in slave factories, Africans who survived were then sent to the Americas on slave ships . They would be taken to the boat – often in chains – and put on-board the ship, never to see their homeland again. Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

17. President Obama at ‘Door of no return’ on Goree Island, Senegal (2013).