Sought refuge in their families, religion and music
They blended their languages, cultures, and religions to create something new.
Nearly 20% of the People on Board has died. Slaves were treated harshly, slave owners whipped and beats the slaves.
The first Africans brought to Colonial America on English occupied territory came ashore at Point Comfort, today's Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. They were later transported to plantations including Jamestown. The White Lion, an English ship flying a Dutch Flag brought the first Africans to Virginia in August of 1619. The fist enslaved Africans were considered indentured servants but in 1661 the Virginia House of Burgess declared Africans to be slaves for life.
Life was mostly very bad for enslaved African Americans. They worked from sun up to sun down. Many were beaten daily with whips and the women were raped.
Sought refuge in their families, religion and music
Information on the life of enslaved Africans is based on historical records, narratives written by enslaved individuals and abolitionists, archaeological findings, oral traditions, and scholarly research. These sources provide insight into the experiences, challenges, and resilience of enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade and the period of slavery in the Americas.
Enslaved Africans were forced to endure the Transatlantic Slave Trade, a journey that involved being captured in Africa, transported across the Atlantic Ocean on crowded and unsanitary ships, and then sold into slavery in the Americas. This journey was often referred to as the Middle Passage and resulted in unimaginable suffering and loss of life for millions of enslaved Africans.
Africans told stories because they had wanted to keep their culture alive. When they were enslaved, africans were forbidden to read or write. As a solution, they told stories to teach their children about their culture and life.
because one of the most important reasonsfor this change was that there weren't enough workers in the Americas.
Some European colonizers and slave traders believed that enslaving Africans and bringing them to the Americas provided them with better living conditions and opportunities than what they perceived to be available in Africa. This justification was used to rationalize the brutal exploitation and forced labor of enslaved Africans.
Religion was a second refuge for slaves
They blended their languages, cultures, and religions to create something new.
Enslaved Africans in New Spain made significant contributions to its economy, primarily through labor in agriculture, mining, and domestic service. They also played a role in shaping the cultural, culinary, and musical landscape of the region, influencing aspects of language, music, dance, and religion. Additionally, some enslaved Africans were able to gain freedom and achieve social mobility through skilled trades and entrepreneurship.
Enslaved Africans ran away from sugar plantations to escape the harsh and oppressive conditions of slavery, seeking freedom and a better life. They faced brutal punishment, long hours of labor, and dehumanizing treatment, prompting many to risk their lives in search of liberation.
Religion provided enslaved Africans with a spiritual solace and a sense of hope for a better future beyond their current suffering. Family ties offered emotional support, a sense of community, and a connection to their cultural heritage, helping them to endure the hardships of slavery and maintain a sense of identity and belonging. Both religion and family provided a refuge where enslaved Africans could find strength, resilience, and moments of comfort amidst their harsh circumstances.
they farmed and washed clothes and etc.