Question

economy in the 13 colonies. primary source #1: olaudah equiano describes the middle passage (1789) the closeness of the place, and the heat of the climate, added to the number in the ship, which was so crowded that each had scarcely room to turn himself, almost suffocated us... the shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying, rendered the whole a scene of horror almost inconceivable. 1. what are three specific things olaudah equiano says made the journey terrible? 2. what emotions does this passage make you feel or imagine? 3. why do you think it was important for equiano to share his story? primary source #2: virginia slave code (1705) all servants imported and brought into the country... who were not christian in their native country... shall be accounted and be slaves. all negro, mulatto and indian slaves... shall be held to be real estate. 1. how does this law treat people differently based on their background? 2. what does enslaved people mean to be treated asreal estate? 3. how did laws like this make slavery more permanent and harder to escape? primary source #3: plantation life (solomon northup, 1853) there were no beds given to the slaves, unless one coarse blanket be considered such. they lay upon the ground... and were called up at dawn by the horn and hurried to the field. 1. describe the living conditions of enslaved people in this passage. 2. what can you infer about how enslaved people were treated on plantations? 3. how might these experiences affect the way people resisted or survived slavery? wrap - up question (critical thinking) based on what you read, how do these primary sources help you understand slavery in the colonies better than just reading a textbook? use at least two sources in your answer. standards connection

Explanation:

1. Primary Source #1:

• Olaudah Equiano describes the closeness of the place (crowded - lack of space), heat of the climate, and the distressing sounds of women shrieking and the dying groaning as what made the journey terrible. Emotions evoked can include horror, pity, and sadness. Sharing his story was important to expose the inhumane conditions of the Middle Passage and the slave trade.

1. Primary Source #2:

• The law treats non - Christian imported servants as slaves and classifies Negro, mulatto, and Indian slaves as real estate. Being treated as real estate means they are property, not human beings with rights. Such laws made slavery more permanent as slaves were considered property and escape was more difficult as property was not allowed to simply leave.

1. Primary Source #3:

• Enslaved people had no beds (except a coarse blanket) and were called to work at dawn. This shows harsh living conditions. It can be inferred that they were treated as laborers with no concern for their comfort. These experiences might have led to various forms of resistance (such as running away or slow - down strikes) or survival strategies (like forming close - knit communities).
• Primary sources offer first - hand accounts and raw emotions, providing a more vivid and personal understanding of slavery in the colonies compared to textbooks which are often more general and sanitized. For example, Equiano's account gives a human perspective on the Middle Passage, and the slave code shows the legal framework that dehumanized slaves.

Answer:

1. Primary Source #1:

• 1. Closeness of the place, heat of the climate, shrieks of women and groans of the dying.
• 2. Horror, pity, sadness.
• 3. To expose inhumane conditions of the slave trade.

1. Primary Source #2:

• 1. Treats non - Christian imported servants as slaves and classifies certain slaves as real estate.
• 2. They are considered property without rights.
• 3. By legally defining them as property, making escape difficult.

1. Primary Source #3:

• 1. No beds (except a coarse blanket), called to work at dawn, harsh living conditions.
• 2. Treated as laborers with no concern for comfort.
• 3. Led to resistance or survival strategies like running away or forming communities.

1. Wrap - Up Question:

• Primary sources offer first - hand, personal accounts. For example, Equiano's story gives a human perspective on the Middle Passage, and the slave code shows the legal dehumanization of slaves, providing a more vivid and detailed understanding compared to textbooks.