The Transatlantic Slave Trade
I can recall that between the 16th and 18th centuries many enslaved West Africans were transported to the Americas and forced to work on plantations.
The Transatlantic Slave Trade
I can recall that between the 16th and 18th centuries many enslaved West Africans were transported to the Americas and forced to work on plantations.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Before the arrival of the Europeans, West Africa was wealthy and central to growing trade networks.
- The arrival of the Europeans de-stabilised West African society and led to the trade in enslaved people.
- Between the 16th and 19th centuries, enslaved West Africans were transported to work on plantations in the Americas.
- Those who were enslaved faced brutal conditions on the plantations and the loss of their freedom.
- The enslaved West Africans brought with them a mixture of language and traditions.
Common misconception
Britain was always involved in the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Britain became involved in the trade in the 1500s, initially selling enslaved people onto plantations in Spanish and Portuguese colonies.
Keywords
Transatlantic Slave Trade - the trade from the 16th to 19th centuries that transported enslaved African peoples to the Americas
Plantation - an area of land on which certain crops were grown using forced labour
Enslaved person - a person who has been forced to work without pay, lose their freedom and become the property of another person; sources often refer to them as slaves
Indentured servitude - a system where someone is made to work without pay for a set period of time
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
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