The Atlantic Slave Trade: Crash Course World History #24

Summary

This Crash Course episode delves into the grim reality of slavery, tracing its history from ancient civilizations to the Atlantic slave trade. It clarifies misconceptions about the capture of Africans, highlighting the role of African traders in the process. The script discusses the brutal conditions slaves faced, the economic motivations behind slavery, and its perpetuation through chattel slavery. It emphasizes the global complicity in this horrific institution and challenges the misuse of the term 'slave' in modern contexts.

Takeaways

• 📚 Slavery has a long history, dating back to the earliest civilizations, but it was not part of early human societies that relied on hunting and gathering.
• 🌍 The Atlantic slave trade involved the forced movement of 10 to 12 million African slaves to the Americas between 1500 and 1880CE, with about 15% dying during the journey.
• 📈 The majority of slaves were sent to the Caribbean (48%) and Brazil (41%), with only about 5% being imported into the United States.
• 🔄 Slavery was part of European history long before the transatlantic trade, with the first significant trade beginning after the 4th Crusade in 1204.
• 🌾 Slaves in the Americas were primarily used for cultivating crops like sugar, tobacco, and coffee, which were not essential for human sustenance, reflecting early consumer culture.
• 🔗 Europeans obtained African slaves through trade, not direct conquest, as African societies were too powerful to be easily defeated.
• 🔑 Slavery was an economic commodity, integral to the private wealth of many societies where land was commonly state-owned.
• 🚢 Conditions on slave ships were horrific, with an average of only four square feet of space per person, akin to being in a coffin.
• 🏺 Once in the Americas, slaves were treated like cattle, being branded and sold in markets, with their lives dominated by hard labor and fear.
• 🍭 The natural increase of the slave population in places like the U.S. was seen as beneficial by slave owners, as it meant more labor and potential for selling offspring.
• 🚫 Atlantic slavery was particularly brutal due to the chattel nature of the slaves, who were considered moveable property and completely dehumanized.

Q & A

What is the main topic of this Crash Course World History episode?

The main topic of this episode is slavery, specifically focusing on the Atlantic slave trade and its historical context.

How does John Green describe the tone of this episode compared to others?

John Green describes the tone of this episode as being 'light on the jokes' due to the serious and somber nature of the topic of slavery.

What percentage of the African slaves died during the journey from Africa to the Americas?

About 15% of the African slaves died during the journey from Africa to the Americas.

What were the primary destinations for the majority of African slaves?

The primary destinations for the majority of African slaves were the Caribbean, where 48% went, and Brazil, where 41% went.

How much of the total slave population was imported to the United States?

Only about 5% of the total slave population was imported to the United States.

What misconception about the capture of Africans does John Green address?

John Green addresses the misconception that Europeans directly captured Africans. In reality, Europeans obtained African slaves by trading for them with other Africans who had captured them.

What does John Green suggest is the root of the economic value of slaves in Africa?

John Green suggests that in many places, slaves were one of the only sources of private wealth because land was usually owned by the state.

What were the conditions like aboard the slave ships?

The conditions aboard slave ships were horrendous, with each slave having an average of four square feet of space, which was compared to the space a man has in his coffin.

What was the significance of the speed in harvesting and processing sugar cane?

Speed was incredibly important in harvesting and processing sugar cane because once cut, sugar sap can go sour within a day.

What was the average life expectancy for a Brazilian slave on a sugar plantation in the late 18th century?

The average life expectancy for a Brazilian slave on a sugar plantation in the late 18th century was 23 years.

What does John Green argue is the most accurate definition of slavery according to sociologist Orlando Patterson?

According to sociologist Orlando Patterson, the most accurate definition of slavery is 'the permanent, violent, and personal domination of natally alienated and generally dishonoured persons.'

Why does John Green criticize the misuse of the word 'slave' in political rhetoric?

John Green criticizes the misuse of the word 'slave' in political rhetoric because it is often used incorrectly to describe situations that do not equate to the historical reality and severity of slavery.

What historical event is mentioned as the beginning of the European slave trade?

The beginning of the European slave trade is mentioned as starting after the 4th Crusade in 1204, where Italian merchants imported thousands of Armenian, Circassian, and Georgian slaves to Italy.

What role did the Bible play in justifying the enslavement of Africans according to the script?

The Bible was used to justify the enslavement of Africans, particularly due to the moment in Genesis when Noah curses Ham, suggesting that Canaan would be the lowest of slaves to his brothers.

How does John Green describe the concept of chattel slavery?

John Green describes chattel slavery as a term historians use to indicate that slaves were move-able property, highlighting the dehumanizing aspect of this form of slavery.