The Middle Passage: The Road to Slavery Slavery in the colonies began in Virginia with tobacco planters. From there, it spread both north and south. By the early 1700s, enslaved Africans were living in every colony. Even Benjamin Franklin owned slaves for a time. But, like a lot of people in New England and Middle Colonies, Franklin found that hiring workers when he needed them cost less than owning slaves. In the Southern Colonies, however, slavery expanded rapidly. From Virginia to Georgia salves helped raise tobacco, rice, indigo and other cash crops.
To say that slavery was wrong is an incredible understatement. Looking back at American history, there is little doubt that slavery is our darkest stain. It is a part of our past that has reverberated throughout our history, so much so that we can still feel the affects of it today. Through evidence of a still prevalent racism (especially in the South), as well as a socieo-econimic divide between white americans and black americans, the echoes of slavery are still loud and clear in 21st century America. It is this very ripple effect which makes studying and understanding the institution of American slavery so important. We will begin to develop this understanding through studying the Middle Passage. Download and read the file below. Then, answer the Middle Passage questions.
Directions: Look through the picture gallery below. As you look, think about what it must have been like to be a on the "Road to Slavery". Then, download and read the Middle Passage Reading below. Finally, complete the task below.
TASK: Imagine you are a journalist and you've just interviewed a man who has escaped slavery. Write a 3-5 paragraph article outlining his journey from Africa to America. In your article make sure to address the following:
To say that slavery was wrong is an incredible understatement. Looking back at American history, there is little doubt that slavery is our darkest stain. It is a part of our past that has reverberated throughout our history, so much so that we can still feel the affects of it today. Through evidence of a still prevalent racism (especially in the South), as well as a socieo-econimic divide between white americans and black americans, the echoes of slavery are still loud and clear in 21st century America. It is this very ripple effect which makes studying and understanding the institution of American slavery so important. We will begin to develop this understanding through studying the Middle Passage. Download and read the file below. Then, answer the Middle Passage questions.
Directions: Look through the picture gallery below. As you look, think about what it must have been like to be a on the "Road to Slavery". Then, download and read the Middle Passage Reading below. Finally, complete the task below.
TASK: Imagine you are a journalist and you've just interviewed a man who has escaped slavery. Write a 3-5 paragraph article outlining his journey from Africa to America. In your article make sure to address the following:
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