Capture
Originally, white slave traders would go on kidnapping raids, but after this method proved too dangerous for the Europeans, they instead established hundreds of forts and trading facilities along the West Coast of Africa. Rulers of local areas and black merchants captured and delivered people to these trading posts and went on to sell them as slaves to European ship captains.
In the West African kingdoms, frequent tribal wars occurred. Often African tribes people took people from other tribes and held them as prisoners. These prisoners made up around 50 per cent of
African slaves and they were sold by tribes to slave ship captains. Another 30 percent became slaves as punishment for crimes or unpaid debt. The remaining 20 percent were kidnapped by …show more content…
The foods they were usually given were boiled rice, yams or beans, and their second meal was a daily ration of one pint of water. If the slaves made an attempt to refuse to eat or drink, the crew would sometimes use hot coals to force a slave’s mouth open. Crew members would often entertain themselves by whipping the slaves to make then sing and dance. Slave captains promoted this activity under the impression that it prevented suicidal thoughts and scurvy among the slaves.
A large number of the slaves died during the voyage due to smallpox, malaria, measles and other diseases due to the poor conditions. During rebellions of the slaves, some were killed in self-defence by the crew. Those of the slaves who went insane were thrown overboard. Others took their lives or surrendered their will to live in many different ways. This might involve holding food in their mouths and then spitting it out to starve themselves when the crew weren’t looking, although this could lead to floggings and force-feedings as punishment. Leaping overboard to drown when being brought up to the deck was another means of escape. On an average voyage to America, about 10-
15 percent of the slaves
Originally, white slave traders would go on kidnapping raids, but after this method proved too dangerous for the Europeans, they instead established hundreds of forts and trading facilities along the West Coast of Africa. Rulers of local areas and black merchants captured and delivered people to these trading posts and went on to sell them as slaves to European ship captains.
In the West African kingdoms, frequent tribal wars occurred. Often African tribes people took people from other tribes and held them as prisoners. These prisoners made up around 50 per cent of
African slaves and they were sold by tribes to slave ship captains. Another 30 percent became slaves as punishment for crimes or unpaid debt. The remaining 20 percent were kidnapped by …show more content…
The foods they were usually given were boiled rice, yams or beans, and their second meal was a daily ration of one pint of water. If the slaves made an attempt to refuse to eat or drink, the crew would sometimes use hot coals to force a slave’s mouth open. Crew members would often entertain themselves by whipping the slaves to make then sing and dance. Slave captains promoted this activity under the impression that it prevented suicidal thoughts and scurvy among the slaves.
A large number of the slaves died during the voyage due to smallpox, malaria, measles and other diseases due to the poor conditions. During rebellions of the slaves, some were killed in self-defence by the crew. Those of the slaves who went insane were thrown overboard. Others took their lives or surrendered their will to live in many different ways. This might involve holding food in their mouths and then spitting it out to starve themselves when the crew weren’t looking, although this could lead to floggings and force-feedings as punishment. Leaping overboard to drown when being brought up to the deck was another means of escape. On an average voyage to America, about 10-
15 percent of the slaves