Slavery+in+the+American+Colonies

The horrible journey of slaves started in Africa when they were captured by Europeans or other Africans. Many different european countries took part in the slave trade. They often paid other African tribes to capture slavesThey were then forced to march long distances chained together. Once they got to the coastal ports they had to wait in the forts for the slave ships to arrive. . The slaves were crammed into the holds of the ships. They were often piled on top of each other to make room for more. They were given very little food and water for the 4 to 8 week voyage. The ships sailed from the west coast of Africa often to the West Indies or the American colonies. Many slaves died in the awful middle passage. Slaves died from disease, starvation, and dehydration. They did not no where they going, how long it would take, or what would await them in the new world.

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After arriving in America the slaves were auctioned off to the highest bidder. Slave owners did not care about seperating families. As a result many slaves never saw their loved ones again.

Slaves worked mostly on plantations in the south. Most slave owners had fewer than 20 slaves. Slaves had to work long hours. Most slaves worked in fields growing cotton and other products. Some slaves worked in their owners' houses and did tasks such as taking care of children, cleaning, and cooking. Slaves had terrible working and living conditions. Most slaves had to work long hours in the fields performing the back breaking labor of not only picking but planting, weeding, and watering the crops. House slaves didn't have it much better. They were much closer to their owners so every mistake they made would be noticed and most likely punished. Small huts and shacks were what most slaves lived in. They recieved little food and almost no medical care. Slaves rarely were allowed to leave the plantations. They had to take care of themselves, their families, and their friends all after a long day of hard work.

In the northern colonies there were less slaves. The slaves in the north were often house slaves or worked in cities. The economy was much less dependent on slaves. Even then there were many people who opposed slavery. However, most of the slaves were in the southern states. In the south most slaves worked on farms and plantations. They were often abused by their masters. They were mistreated because of the fairly cheap cost of a new slave. In the south the slaves were treated worse than they were in the north. They were sold from owner to owner without any regard for the slave's family or friends.Although some owneres were kinder to their slaves most were cruel and harsh.