SLAVERY in the British Colonies [APUSH Review Unit 2 Topic 6] Period 2: 1607-1754

Heimler's History2 minutes read

The Atlantic slave trade brought 3 million Africans to British colonies, with many dying during the Middle Passage, leading to increased demand for enslaved labor due to a shortage of indentured servants across all British colonies. Enslaved Africans were distributed differently in each British colony, leading to the prevalence of chattel slavery and harsh slave laws in Virginia and other Southern colonies, despite resistance through cultural practices and rebellions like the Stono Rebellion in 1739.

Insights

  • The Atlantic slave trade brought around 3 million Africans to British colonies, with half a million dying during the Middle Passage, highlighting the brutal and deadly nature of this forced migration.
  • Enslaved Africans were utilized differently in various British colonies, with New England having fewer enslaved laborers, the Middle Colonies using more as household servants, and the Chesapeake and Southern colonies heavily relying on them for plantation labor, showcasing the diverse roles and treatment of enslaved individuals across regions.

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Recent questions

  • What was the impact of the Atlantic slave trade?

    The Atlantic slave trade transported millions of Africans to British colonies, with many dying during the journey.

  • Why were enslaved Africans brought to British colonies?

    Enslaved Africans were brought to British colonies due to increased demand for labor in agriculture.

  • How were enslaved Africans distributed in British colonies?

    Enslaved Africans were distributed differently across British colonies based on labor needs.

  • What led to the prevalence of chattel slavery in British colonies?

    Chattel slavery became prevalent in British colonies due to the influence of practices in the British West Indies.

  • How did enslaved Africans resist slavery?

    Enslaved Africans resisted slavery through cultural customs, beliefs, languages, and rebellions like the Stono Rebellion.

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Summary

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British Colonies: Atlantic Slave Trade and Resistance

  • The Atlantic slave trade transported around 3 million captive Africans to British colonies in North America and the Caribbean, with about half a million dying during the Middle Passage.
  • The increased demand for colonial agricultural goods and a shortage of indentured servants led to a surge in demand for enslaved African laborers in all British colonies.
  • Enslaved Africans were distributed differently across British colonies, with New England having fewer enslaved laborers, the Middle Colonies using more as household servants, and the Chesapeake and Southern colonies relying heavily on enslaved labor for plantations.
  • Chattel slavery, treating enslaved people as property, became prevalent in British colonies, influenced by practices in the British West Indies, leading to harsh slave laws in Virginia and other Southern colonies.
  • Enslaved Africans resisted slavery covertly by maintaining cultural customs, beliefs, and languages, as well as overtly through rebellions like the Stono Rebellion in South Carolina in 1739, challenging the narrative of benevolent plantation owners.
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