Presentation Transcript

1. African American History & Culture Unit

2. Objectives:

   TSWBAT describe the ancient African civilizations. TSWBAT explain the purpose and procedures of the Triangle Slave Trade. TSWBAT analyze the effects of the Middle Passage experience.
3. Ancient African Civilization Kush – a busy trading civilization located in present-day southern Egypt and northern Sudan that was known for trading ivory, ebony, frankincense, and leopard skins Kingdom of Ghana – first major trading and farming civilization in West Africa Traded iron ore and gold Highly skilled blacksmiths – made tools and weapons Traded mostly with Muslims from North Africa (metal goods, cloth, horses and salt) Kingdom of Mali – rose up in power after the decline of the Kingdom of Ghana Known for trading and the intellectual capital (Timbuktu) of North and West Africa Mansa Musa – wealthiest and most powerful ruler of Mali; expanded the kingdom Kingdom of Songhai – civilization that developed along the Niger River; Muslims Sunni Ali – most powerful ruler; led his army on many conquests
4. Triangle Slave trade After “discovering” the New World, claiming land for their individual countries, and establishing profitable colonies, Europeans turn their focus to the “unknown” continent of Africa. Europeans dared not to explore the inner sections of Africa for the following reasons: Sahara Desert – dangerous; expansive; extremely hot and dry; and controlled mostly by Muslims Savannahs – expansive; home of a number of dangerous animals  elephants; rhinoceros, lions, leopards, etc. Rainforests – expansive; home of numerous dangerous animals, poisonous plants; hot, humid conditions to which Europeans could not easily adapt. Europeans’ Goals To find an easier route to Asia (still wanted silks, spices, etc from India & China) To trade European products (pots, weapons, rum, cloth, etc) for individuals who would be used for manual labor on colonial plantations. To spread Christianity
5. Triangle slave trade, con. Slavery already existed in tribes in Western & Central Africa. Basic Facts about Slavery in Western & Central Africa Prisoners of war were automatically enslaved. Most slaves were prisoners of war. Anyone who found guilty of a crime or owed an unpaid debt could be subjected to slavery. Slavery may be temporary or permanent. Enslaved persons in Western & Central Africa kept a few individual rights (right to grow a garden, to maintain a household, to marry, and in some cases – to vote/speak in tribal council) Enslaved persons were rarely chained.
6. Triangle slave trade, con… Europeans arrived to trade with friendly, willing African tribes who own slaves. African tribes traded their prisoner-of-war slaves in exchange for European goods. Over time, Europeans increase their request for slaves. With their slave supply depleted, some African tribes resorted to actively/randomly kidnapping other Africans for the sole purpose of continuing to trade with Europeans. SO…Where did the term: “Triangle Slave Trade” originate?
7. Middle passage experience European countries who traded for slaves: Portuguese Spanish British French Dutch Once traded, enslaved Africans were marched to the coast and loaded on the ship(s). Loading formats below deck: Loose pack: enslaved Africans were allowed a small area to sit or move around Spoon: enslaved Africans were loaded on shelves and allowed just enough room to shift or turn over;
8. Middle passage experience, con. No restrooms Little fresh air Chained down Brought above deck once a day for exercise; for dirt/grime/human waste to be rinse off; to be checked for sores, diseases, etc.; and to determine how many were deceased. Those who died were simply tossed over board. Those who rebelled would be severely whipped. Those who refused to exercise would be whipped until they complied. Women were routinely used for the sexual gratification of the ship’s crew and captain. The stench from slave ships were so bad that many could detect that one was coming long before they were actually seen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRKOIphnHXk

9. Objectives:

   TSWBAT describe the process of selling slaves in an auction. TSWBAT describe the process of “breaking in” a slave and imbedding the slave mentality throughout generations.
10. Slave auctions After unloading the slave ship, enslaved Africans were rinsed off and placed into holding pens according to gender. Underwent a brief medical inspection for head lice, open sores, bruises, missing teeth, bleeding, muscle mass. Males & females were inspected and grouped according to approximate age, health, built, and assumed mating capabilities by potential buyers. Hands and feet were shackled at all times. Slave Auction Excerpt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldszVJNpNKA
11. “Breaking in” of slaves Purpose: to decrease the likelihood of enslaved persons running away or challenging the authority of the slave driver or slave owner. Methods of “breaking in” slaves: Re-name the enslaved African – not allow them to use African name Families were routinely separated Not allowed to speak African language Differentiating between the enslaved according to skills, assigned tasks, and skin complexion – created a rift to maintain control Certain body language not allowed – no direct or prolonged eye contact, body posture of servitude Voice – tone of voice (meek/humble) Those who did not comply were often publicly whipped, humiliated, or sold Women were treated as objects of pleasure for the slave driver and/or slave owner. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByhFz5e5Tno
12. Pair assignment Create a 10-15 page educational cartoon book for 6-9 year olds that explains the process of a free African: Being captured Being loaded on a ship – loose/spoon packed Suffering Middle Passage conditions Experiencing auction experience Being “broken-in”; and Adapting to plantation life Materials Provided for You: Card Stock Rulers Sharpie Markers
13. Pair assignment grading rubric: Appropriate title for educational cartoon book (10 pts) Names, date, class period (10 pts) Educational cartoons are clearly age-appropriate (6-9 yrs old) (20pts) Students include the following: Being captured (10 pts) Being loaded on a ship – loose/spoon packed (10 pts) Suffering Middle Passage conditions (10 pts) Experiencing auction experience (10 pts) Being “broken-in”; and (10 pts) Adapting to plantation life (10 pts)

14. African american history overview:Reconstruction era

15. Reconstruction era “40 acres and a mule” Promise  U.S. gov’t initially promised reparations to freed African Americans in the form of 40 acres of land, but that never materialized. No mule was officially offered. ~4 million slaves were freed in April 1865 Some slaves in Texas did not receive word of their freedom until June 1865  JUNETEENTH Freedman’s Bureau: federal gov’t agency created to assist freed African Americans transition to autonomy Education – now legal; some schools established for African Americans of all ages; most African Americans were able to just learned basic writing and math skills Sharecropping/Tenant Farming: many African Americans felt limited to farming as a livelihood; became slavery by another name  http://www.pbs.org/tpt/slavery-by-another-name/watch/
16. Black codes/jim crow era continued… Southern states passed a number of laws during the Reconstruction Era for the purpose of reinstating African Americans as a 2nd class citizens Examples: Literacy tests/poll taxes/grandfather clause Real estate/neighborhood boundaries Separate schools/churches Separate entrances at restaurants/movies 2nd class services in stores
17. Black codes/ jim crow era Some African Americans thrived during the Reconstruction Era Began businesses Ran and won political offices  state legislators; federal Congressmen; governor (Louisiana); mayors Black Wall Street Part I: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD3aw4-RJpE Part II: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S64dnbcUTF8#t=12 Part III: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2T5PmniizI
18. Domestic terrorist groups Several domestic terrorist groups formed and prospered during the Jim Crow Era Ku Klux Klan Night Riders Neo-Nazis Ku Klux Klan Documentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu0NuJ7mcgk Strange Fruit Hanging From the Trees: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwSTatenMf0