Slave Trade documents

Olaudah Equiano: The Interesting Narrative

  • Background

    • Born in 1745 in Iboland (modern-day Nigeria)

    • Captured and sold into slavery at age 11

    • Survived the Atlantic crossing (slave trade)

    • Served three masters: a British naval officer, an English sea captain in the West Indies, and Robert King, a Quaker merchant in Philadelphia.

  • Exceptional Experiences

    • Unlike many slaves, he was not a plantation worker.

    • Learned to read and write under the naval officer.

    • Acquired skills in navigation, bookkeeping, and commerce.

    • Purchased his freedom in 1766.

    • Worked in England as a barber, servant, and crew member.

  • Abolitionist Movement

    • Joined the English abolitionist movement in the 1770s.

    • Gained a government position to facilitate provisions to Sierra Leone, a colony for freed slaves.

    • Published autobiography in 1789, supported by abolitionist leaders.

    • The autobiography strengthened the abolitionist cause, influencing the 1807 act against the British slave trade.

  • Historical Accuracy

    • Challenges regarding the factuality of Equiano's narrative.

    • Scholar Vincent Carretta suggests Equiano may have been born in South Carolina, raising questions about his account of capture and enslavement.

    • Other scholars defend the narrative's accuracy based on corroboration with other historical sources.

Captivity and Slavery Experience

  • Capture

    • Description of being taken by men while parents were absent.

    • Separation from sister, leading to profound sadness and trauma.

    • Initial captivity involved being hidden in a sack and sold multiple times.

  • Life with Various Masters

    • Equiano describes his experiences differing from other captives.

    • Initial kindness from a chief in a pleasant country but was still enslaved.

    • Changes in environment and treatment led to reflections on freedom and belonging.

  • Introduction to Slave Ship

    • First encounter with the slave ship caused terror.

    • Description of the conditions aboard: having to eat under duress, suffocation from stench, and fear of death.

    • Conveyance to Barbados marked by further dehumanization, as the captives faced harsh treatment and were often flogged.

economic Aspects of the Slave Trade

  • Slave Trading Dynamics

    • Many Africans were captured following military defeat or raids and sold in coastal markets.

    • Business negotiations between European merchants and African slave traders determined the slave trade's economic practices.

    • Some African traders viewed the trade as a profitable business exchange.

  • Example: Thomas Phillips’ Journal

    • Documented a 1694 slave voyage on the ship Hannibal.

    • Details interaction with the King of Whydah and the process of trade.

    • Phillips describes the unhealthy and dangerous conditions encountered at ports.

Societal Impacts

  • Effects of Slavery on African Societies

    • The capture and sale of individuals affected community structure and family units.

  • The Broader Economic Impact

    • The slave trade spurred economic relationships between Africa and Europe, creating a complex commercial system.

    • The legacy of slavery continues to impact societies, instigating dialogues around race, identity, and societal structures.