Transatlantic Slavery

Transatlantic slavery went on for about 300 years; from about 1450 until the late 1800s. Many people who got sold into slavery died on the boat journey to auction. Slaves were usually unarmed Africans from small villages, for these were the easiest targets. But anyone who could be caught was treated roughly and sold into slavery, including babies and young children.

People really had no choice whether they went into the slave trade or not. Once you had been caught, except for the unlikely event that they escaped, you were a slave no matter what or who you are. Some people even turned on neighbours, family, and friends for the large profit made from slavery. People were often kidnapped whilst they were out on their own in the fields or farms. But they also sometimes got kidnapped in small villages. They were also treated very roughly. They may never see their friends and families again, who would not know where they had gone, only that they had not returned. Some people did sell themselves into slavery for no price though, often to survive poverty or extreme conditions. At least their masters would provide them with their most basic needs. Some people even sold their own children into slavery for the same reasons but these, I don't think were aware of it's cruel and permanent nature. Slaves travelled to the slave auction on a ship and and the conditions were terrible. The slaves got one set of clothing each and hardly any food and water. There was only one bucket for human waste, and, worst of all, those ships were diseased. Many people died, and only the strongest survived. At the auction the strongest went first for the highest price. Half the cost was payed in produce, the other half in cash. The weak and frail went last, and those who didn't sell got put in a scramble auction. This is when buyers ran forwards to collect the one that looked strongest for free.

One of the most famous slaves is Harriet Tubman, who attempted to escape from slavery with her two brothers. Her name originally Araminta Rose but she changed it to Harriet (after her mother) once she had ran away as to not be detected. She was married but her husband refused to come with her and her brothers soon became scared and left her to continue on her own. She stayed in the Underground Railroad, a large gathering of safe houses for slaves making their journey north to freedom. Later on she got a job as a nursemaid, even though she was still only a child. Her main job was to stay up all night as to insure that the baby did not wake the mother. If it did she would have got whipped.

Nobody cared about the Africans and they did not even get doctors and medical care when they were sick. They had to wear big metal chains and headgear that stuck out in all directions. This prevented them from walking, resting, swallowing, and doing many other everyday things. There were many deaths and lots of whippings, and attempt to escape was either punished with separation from family and friends or death.

To my opinion Transatlantic slavery is much worse than Egyptian slavery but many would think much different.


By Mary