Middle Passage

MiddlePassageMarker

Triangular trade en

Slave ship diagram

Brookes slave ship, British Library

Middle Passage refers to the stage of the triangular trade in which millions of Africans were forcibly transported to the New World as part of the Atlantic slave trade. Ships departed Europe for African markets with manufactured goods, which were traded for purchased or kidnapped Africans, who were then transported across the Atlantic as slaves; the slaves were then sold or traded for raw materials, which would be transported back to Europe to complete the cycle. The Middle Passage is so named because it was the middle leg of the trading triangle, situated between the journey from Europe to Africa and the journey from the Americas back to Europe.

Overview

The Middle Passage was notorious for its brutality and for the inhumane conditions in which slaves were kept. Slaves were densely packed onto ships, with insufficient room to move or breathe. Conditions were squalid, and diseases such as smallpox and dysentery were rampant. It is estimated that the mortality rate during the Middle Passage was as high as 15-20%, with deaths resulting from diseases, malnutrition, mistreatment, and suicide.

Historical Impact

The Middle Passage had a profound impact on the history and demographics of the Americas. Millions of Africans were forcibly removed from their homelands, leading to a significant diaspora of African peoples in the Americas. This diaspora has had a lasting cultural and demographic impact on countries throughout the Americas, including the United States, Brazil, and the Caribbean nations.

The horrors of the Middle Passage also played a significant role in the development of the abolitionist movement in both Europe and the Americas. The inhumane treatment of slaves during the passage contributed to growing opposition to slavery, which eventually led to its abolition in many parts of the world.

Legacy

The legacy of the Middle Passage is a complex one. It is a story of human suffering and resilience in the face of unimaginable brutality. It is also a story of survival and the enduring spirit of the African diaspora. Today, the Middle Passage is remembered as a pivotal chapter in the history of the Atlantic world, one that had a profound impact on the course of world history.