Slavery is an ancient practice with origins that date as far back as the Maya civilization that began around 2000 BC, both the Bible and the Koran address slavery. (BBC) However, in the New World slavery was introduced by the Dutch in 1619 at Jamestown, Virginia, to help in the production of profitable crops like tobacco. A majority of the slaves entered America through the West Indies after a period of seasoning then reexported to Chesapeake or the Lower South. (Making America, 81) Roughly 11.9 million Africans were shipped across the Atlantic to the West Indies. (Gilder) However, the journey through the infamous Middle Passage reduced these numbers by roughly eighteen percent (Making America, 83) decreasing the arrival of African slaves
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Similar to other countries, Africa had numerous indigenous groups, each society had distinct dialects unique to the region, and people worshiped various denominations. Africa had both large and small cities; occupied by both the wealthy and the poor. Wars would rage, and peace would descend. They had families, shared traditions, worked and created various forms of art and music. (abhmuseum) They were a civilized society that came under siege when armed African slavers hunted, kidnapped and imprisoned African men, women, and children. (Making America, 82) Of the 20 million captured African 's half did not complete the journey to the Slave Coast where the apprehended lived in dungeons, imprinted with hot irons and chained with shackles (PBS) before being shipped to the West Indies. (Making America, 82) On their journey to the West Indies, also known as the Middle Passage Africans were loaded, with about 300 to 400 people packed tightly into the ships decks, chained and bound to the floors and walls of the ship, they had little headroom, poor ventilation and no space for human waste. Due to lack of hygiene disease was common among the captives, white officers and crew members many would die on the thirty to ninety-day journey to the West Indies. (Encyclopedia)
African slaves who arrived in the West Indies where acclimated to the weather and disease environment of the American tropics. (Making America, 83). To fetch high prices the slaves were fed and cleaned before being sold, those who did not sell were left to die, slaves who sold where shipped to their owners.
Similar to other countries, Africa had numerous indigenous groups, each society had distinct dialects unique to the region, and people worshiped various denominations. Africa had both large and small cities; occupied by both the wealthy and the poor. Wars would rage, and peace would descend. They had families, shared traditions, worked and created various forms of art and music. (abhmuseum) They were a civilized society that came under siege when armed African slavers hunted, kidnapped and imprisoned African men, women, and children. (Making America, 82) Of the 20 million captured African 's half did not complete the journey to the Slave Coast where the apprehended lived in dungeons, imprinted with hot irons and chained with shackles (PBS) before being shipped to the West Indies. (Making America, 82) On their journey to the West Indies, also known as the Middle Passage Africans were loaded, with about 300 to 400 people packed tightly into the ships decks, chained and bound to the floors and walls of the ship, they had little headroom, poor ventilation and no space for human waste. Due to lack of hygiene disease was common among the captives, white officers and crew members many would die on the thirty to ninety-day journey to the West Indies. (Encyclopedia)
African slaves who arrived in the West Indies where acclimated to the weather and disease environment of the American tropics. (Making America, 83). To fetch high prices the slaves were fed and cleaned before being sold, those who did not sell were left to die, slaves who sold where shipped to their owners.