Chapter 14 P2 + Docs: Slaves and Globalization
Summary:
This half of the chapter focused mainly on slave trade. It first went over the many types of
slavery that were present in the pre-1500s, then it went on to mention how distinctive slavery
in the Americas was. It was mostly different because of its identification with Africa and
blackness and linked to dehumanization. It is also different because of the immense size
of the slave traffic and its centrality to the plantation economy in the Americas. The slavery
picked up the pace when a sugar economy started to boom. Africans were picked because
they were skilled farmers, had immunities to diseases, they were close and readily available,
and because they weren’t Christians. It was important that they weren’t Christians because
the pope at the time gave Spain and Portugal permission to capture and subjugate those
who were non-believers of God.
slavery that were present in the pre-1500s, then it went on to mention how distinctive slavery
in the Americas was. It was mostly different because of its identification with Africa and
blackness and linked to dehumanization. It is also different because of the immense size
of the slave traffic and its centrality to the plantation economy in the Americas. The slavery
picked up the pace when a sugar economy started to boom. Africans were picked because
they were skilled farmers, had immunities to diseases, they were close and readily available,
and because they weren’t Christians. It was important that they weren’t Christians because
the pope at the time gave Spain and Portugal permission to capture and subjugate those
who were non-believers of God.
In practice, the slave trade was mostly conducted by African authorities within Africa. They
were the ones who captured the slaves and peacefully sold them to the Europeans. The
ones they captured were criminals or people from rival groups. Overall, the slaves were
people who had no place in their society. They mostly came from south and west Africa
and arrived in Brazil or the Caribbean. Many slaves rebelled, jumping off the ship before
they even arrived on the coast in the Americas. It was most common to flee, and many
joined maroon societies.
were the ones who captured the slaves and peacefully sold them to the Europeans. The
ones they captured were criminals or people from rival groups. Overall, the slaves were
people who had no place in their society. They mostly came from south and west Africa
and arrived in Brazil or the Caribbean. Many slaves rebelled, jumping off the ship before
they even arrived on the coast in the Americas. It was most common to flee, and many
joined maroon societies.
Due to the slave trade, economic and demographic stagnation plagued Africa. Those who
benefitted from the slave trade did not use their resources for productivity. As a result, Africa
has not experienced agricultural or technological breakthroughs. Moral corruption was
common and many women left over (b/c mostly men were sent to the Americas) became
slaves of the interior. Women also held positions of power, but it was different for each
African society, and there were numerous.
benefitted from the slave trade did not use their resources for productivity. As a result, Africa
has not experienced agricultural or technological breakthroughs. Moral corruption was
common and many women left over (b/c mostly men were sent to the Americas) became
slaves of the interior. Women also held positions of power, but it was different for each
African society, and there were numerous.
The documents show the increasing globalization of the world during the early modern period.
Many items were traded among groups as a sign of economic prosperity. As time passed, these
items became more available to the mass majority, and today they have incorporated themselves
into our daily lives. What used to be a show of status is now a normal and everyday thing.
Many items were traded among groups as a sign of economic prosperity. As time passed, these
items became more available to the mass majority, and today they have incorporated themselves
into our daily lives. What used to be a show of status is now a normal and everyday thing.
A Few Comments:
I found it interesting how regular products such as chocolate, tobacco, and tea of today were
so treasured in the early modern era. I do not drink a lot of tea. But I can’t imagine someone
paying more than $5 for a person to put a leaf or a cube in water.
so treasured in the early modern era. I do not drink a lot of tea. But I can’t imagine someone
paying more than $5 for a person to put a leaf or a cube in water.
I find the moral corruption in Africa very saddening. It’s understandable that it would happen
because the groups in Africa are very divided and don’t feel connected to each other. However,
they are fellow human beings and I think that should be enough for slaves to be treated better.
because the groups in Africa are very divided and don’t feel connected to each other. However,
they are fellow human beings and I think that should be enough for slaves to be treated better.
In the book, they mentioned that around 10% of slaves who were traveling across the sea jumped
shipped because they didn’t want to leave their homeland. A few years ago, I watched this movie
called Amistad. I don’t remember much about it other than the scene on the ship where the slaves
were being brought to the Americas. I had a sudden flashback to it while reading the book. Women
had to give birth on the ship, but were given no care. The ship was overly crowded, with not enough
space or food for everyone. It was very difficult to watch, but I think it was helpful. Watching this and
remembering it made the topic of this section very real for me and allowed me to sympathize a bit
more. I was disappointed because the chapter didn’t seem to go into depth about the lives of slaves.
It kinda just brushed over the pain. It paid more attention to the economic problems of the society.
I was hoping it would capture more of the human experience. I didn’t see much of this, only the small
section dedicated to Ayuba. I understand that to cover world history, we need to skim over some parts,
but I found this very important to me.
shipped because they didn’t want to leave their homeland. A few years ago, I watched this movie
called Amistad. I don’t remember much about it other than the scene on the ship where the slaves
were being brought to the Americas. I had a sudden flashback to it while reading the book. Women
had to give birth on the ship, but were given no care. The ship was overly crowded, with not enough
space or food for everyone. It was very difficult to watch, but I think it was helpful. Watching this and
remembering it made the topic of this section very real for me and allowed me to sympathize a bit
more. I was disappointed because the chapter didn’t seem to go into depth about the lives of slaves.
It kinda just brushed over the pain. It paid more attention to the economic problems of the society.
I was hoping it would capture more of the human experience. I didn’t see much of this, only the small
section dedicated to Ayuba. I understand that to cover world history, we need to skim over some parts,
but I found this very important to me.
Here’s a link for anyone who wants to see the ship scene I was talking about:
Dear Ciara,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your personal experience on watching the movie Amistad. I also appreciate your frustration that the chapter "brushed over the pain." I have not seen this movie before, but I watched the scene you shared. While it was very difficult to watch, I think it is important that we view it because it helps us understand the harsh reality of what was occurring: the enslaved peoples not being treated at all as humans.
Thank you,
Cat Gargollo
Hey Cat!
DeleteThank you so much for your insight. I'm pleased to know that someone takes the time to read my thoughts and that it has brought some knowledge/experience. I agree with your sentiments and I also believe more people should watch this scene if not the entire movie
Best regards,
Ciara