Transcript Notes

Chapter 3
Section 3: African
Americans in the
Colonies
The Middle Passage
• One leg of the triangular trade
–Forced transport of slaves from
Africa to the Americas
• 10-40% died in the crossing
–Endured chains, heat, disease,
smells, & cramped quarters
• Some mutiny
–Crews were heavily armed
Slavery in the Colonies
• South Carolina & Georgia
–Brutal conditions
–High temperatures & diseases
–Majority in SC & 1/3 of the
population in GA
–Slaves were able to maintain their
cultural traditions
–Made baskets & pottery, played
music & told stories
• Africans had superior knowledge of
cattle herding & fishing & rice
cultivation
Virginia & Maryland
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Minorities
Few came from Africa
Performed different work
More contact with Europeans
(blended customs)
• Encourage slaves to raise families
–Expensive to get slaves in
New England & the Middle Colonies
• By late 1700’s only 50,000
• More diverse economies
• Slaves worked in cities as cooks,
housekeepers, or personal servants
• Male slaves worked in manufacturing &
trading or as skilled artisans, or as
lumberjacks, dock workers, merchant
sailors, fishermen, whalers, & privateers
Free Blacks
• Grew after the American Revolution
• Slave laws discouraged freedom
• Probably worse off economically
–Poorer living conditions & severe
discrimination
–Couldn’t vote, testify in court against
whites, or marry whites
Laws & Revolts
• Varied from colony to colony
• Slaves couldn’t go on ships or ferries
or leave the town without a written
pass
• Could be accused of crimes
• Punishment including whipping,
banishment to the West Indies &
death
Stono Rebellion
• 1739- dozens of slaves near
Charleston killed more than 20 whites
• Killed on their way to Florida
• Opposed slavery through indirect
resistance
–Pretending to misunderstand orders
or faking illness