The "Middle Passage"

What was the Middle Passage?

The Middle Passage was a series of routes which slave ships used to transport slaves from West Africa to the Americas.

When was the Middle Passage in use?

The Middle Passage was in use from 1500 to 1850.

How many total slaves were transported via the Middle Passage between 1500 and 1850?

11 million slaves were transported via the Middle Passage between 1500 and 1850.

How many of the 11 million slaves transported via the Middle Passage ended up in the Americas?

9.6 million of the 11 million slaves transported via the Middle Passage ended up in the Americas.

What destination in the Americas received the majority of the slaves?

Brazil received the majority of the slaves.

What were the dimensions that a slave was allotted on a slave ship?

The dimensions that a slave was allotted on a slave ship were 5 feet of height and 2 feet of width.

Where did slaves vomit or relieve themselves on slave ships?

Slaves vomited and relieved themselves in the same spot that they were chained on slave ships.

Was there more than one level into which slaves were packed on some slave ships?

Yes, there was more than one level into which slaves were packed on some slave ships.

Did disease ravage the slaves on slave ships?

Yes, disease ravaged the slaves on slave ships.

Did the slaves die in large numbers across the Middle Passage?

Yes, the slaves died in large numbers across the Middle Passage.

Were the slaves malnourished across the Middle Passage?

Yes, the slaves were malnourished across the Middle Passage.

Which nation was the largest transporter of slaves? What percentage of the total slaves did this nation transport?

Portugal was the largest transporter of slaves, transporting 46% of the total slaves.

Which nation was the second largest transporter of slaves? What percentage of the total slaves did this nation transport?

England was the second largest transporter of slaves, transporting 28% of the total slaves.

What happened to the slaves almost immediately before they reached the end of the Middle Passage?

Almost immediately before they reached the end of the Middle Passage, the slaves were cleaned up and fed better.

Why were the slaves cleaned up and fed better immediately before the end of their voyage?

The slaves were cleaned up and and fed better immediately before the end of the Middle Passage in order to make them look better and thus attract more buyers.