During the period of the Atlantic Slave
Trade, from approximately 1526 to 1867,
some 12.5 million slaves were shipped
from
Africa to the Americas.
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Trade, from approximately 1526 to 1867,
some 12.5 million slaves were shipped
from
Africa to the Americas.
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The Atlantic Slave Trade is till date one of
the worst calamities to have ever befallen
the African continent.
the worst calamities to have ever befallen
the African continent.
The methods of transporting slaves were so
inhumane that most of them died even
before reaching America.
inhumane that most of them died even
before reaching America.
The slaves were separated according to
their sexes and physical strength, kept
naked and packed close together, and the
men were chained for longer periods.
About twelve percent of those who
embarked did not survive the voyage
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Infant and child mortality rates were twice
as high among slave children as among
southern white children. Half of all slave
infants died in their first year of life. A
major contributor to the high infant and
child death rate was chronic
undernourishment.
as high among slave children as among
southern white children. Half of all slave
infants died in their first year of life. A
major contributor to the high infant and
child death rate was chronic
undernourishment.
The average birth weight of slave infants
was less than 5.5 pounds, considered
severely underweight by today’s standards.
Most infants of enslaved mothers were
weaned within three or four months. Even
in the eighteenth century, the earliest
weaning age advised by doctors was eight
months.
weaned within three or four months. Even
in the eighteenth century, the earliest
weaning age advised by doctors was eight
months.
After weaning, slave infants were fed a
starch-based diet, consisting of foods such
as gruel, which lacked sufficient nutrients
for health and growth.
Prices of slaves varied widely over time,
due to factors including supply, and
changes in prices of commodities such as
cotton. Even considering the relative
expense of owning and keeping a slave,
slavery was profitable.
due to factors including supply, and
changes in prices of commodities such as
cotton. Even considering the relative
expense of owning and keeping a slave,
slavery was profitable.
In order to ensure the profitability of
slaves, and to produce maximum “return
on investment,” slave owners generally
supplied only the minimum food and
shelter needed for survival, and forced
their slaves to work from sunrise to sunset
.
Although young adult men had the highest
expected levels of output, young adult
women had value over and above their
ability to work in the fields; they were able
to have children who by law were also
slaves of the owner of the mother.
expected levels of output, young adult
women had value over and above their
ability to work in the fields; they were able
to have children who by law were also
slaves of the owner of the mother.
Therefore, the average price of female
slaves was higher than their male
counterparts up to puberty age. Men
around the age of 25-years-old were the
most “valuable.”
Credit: The Gilder Lehrman Institute of
American History.
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