Middle Passage
A voyage that brought enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to North America and the West Indies. Many died along the way.
The Middle Passage was the stage of the triangular trade that involved the transportation of African slaves from Africa to the Americas. It was called the “middle passage” because it was the second leg of a three-part journey that began in Europe, continued to Africa, and then finally to the Americas.
The Middle Passage was a horrific and brutal experience for the enslaved Africans who were transported on overcrowded and unsanitary ships. The journey took around six to eight weeks but could take much longer if there were unfavorable weather conditions. The enslaved Africans were not treated as human beings, but as mere cargo. They were packed tightly into the spaces below deck where there was barely any room to move. They were chained together and forced to lie in their own waste and filth.
During the Middle Passage, many slaves died due to disease, malnutrition, and poor living conditions. The mortality rate was extremely high, with an estimated 15% of all slaves dying during the journey. Slave rebellions were common, and there were also instances of suicide and self-mutilation as slaves attempted to avoid the horrors of their situation.
The Middle Passage played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade and the development of the Americas. It left a long-lasting impact on the cultures and societies of the regions involved, as well as on the lives of enslaved Africans and their descendants. It is a tragic reminder of the atrocities committed during this period of human history.
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