Unit 2: Forming a New Nation

7. Sugar Plantation
Slaves

8. The Creation of an Atlantic Economy: Sugar and Slaves
by Goucher, LeGuin, and Walton
Read “The Middle Passage”, pgs. 6-7
- In one or two sentences, and in your own words,
describe the conditions aboard a slave ship.
DEBRIEF

9. Amistad (1997)
directed by Steven Spielberg
As you watch the clip, think about two things:
1) How is this supposed to make me feel?
2) What did the filmmakers leave out?

10. Documentary Video Clip:
The Americas & the Globalization of Labor:
Slavery and Resistance
http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/u
nit_video_14-3.html?pop=yes&pid=2157#

11. We’ve looked at the video clip: The Americas & the Globalization of Labor:
Slavery and Resistance. Now, read the following passages from Goucher,
LeGuin, and Walton, work with a partner to answer the questions, and then
we’ll discuss.
“African Slave Labor”, page 3
Why did the Carribean islands lack a sufficient labor force for sugar
production?
What was the solution to the labor shortage experienced by plantations in
the Americas?
According to the authors, why did racism against those of African descent
begin to develop during this time?

12. “The Business of Slavery” & “Slavery as Mercantilism”,
pages 4-5
Mercantilism is defined as: “A 16th and 17th century economic
theory that a country’s strength and prosperity depended on the
ammassing of gold reserves. This was to be achieved by
developing production for export, limiting imports, and
prohibiting the export of gold.”
European powers engaged in mercantilism by setting up certain
private companies. What did these companies do? How did
they impact the slave trade?

13. “The Slave Trade” & “Slaves and Guns”, pgs. 5-6
- How did slave traders obtain slaves? From
whom? Where did many slaves come from in
Africa?
- Describe the impact of guns and European
import goods on African societies.