The Middle Passage By Olaudah Equiano - 853 Words

The Middle Passage was a triangular route that was frequently used by many European nations who engaged in the Atlantic slave trade of millions of Africans. One such African slave was a man by the name of Olaudah Equiano, who s autobiography spoke of the mortality rate on slave ships, what he and his fellow slaves thought of their European captors, and what their captors thought of them. According to our textbook, the mortality rate on slave ships was varied quite a bit. It was usually only around 15%, but sometimes was so high that by the time the ships reached their intended destination, half or more of the slaves aboard the ship were dead (Roark, Johnson and Cohen, The Atlantic Slave Trade and the Growth of Slavery). According to Olaudah Equiano s autobiography, this was due to a number of things. First, the living conditions on the slave ships was horrendous and as a result many slaves either got sick or contracted diseases. This was a big problem because European slave traders would pack the slaves into very small holds on the ship which resulted in overcrowding. This coupled with the hot weather these ships operated resulted in the illnesses and diseases spreading faster which caused many slaves to die quite rapidly. The second reason for the high mortality rate of slave ships was due to the fact that many slaves killed themselves trying to escape. Slaves frequ ently tried to escape the ship by jumping off the ship into the water. The problem was that many slaves didShow MoreRelatedOlaudah Equiano The Middle Passage Analysis839 Words   |  4 PagesOlaudah Equianos The Middle Passage Olaudah Equianos The Middle Passage is a testament to the cruelty and wickedness of men. It is clear that Equiano was a slave in another household in Africa and was sold and placed on the ship to be sold to another master in another country. From the time Equiano boards the ship, he finds the white men or crew he encounters as bad spirits and does not know what to make of their widely differing complexions, long hair and different language. From EquianosRead MoreThe Interesting Narrative Of The Life Of Olaudah Equiano, By James Sweet And Katrina Thompson901 Words   |  4 Pagesto focus my research around slaves being treated as sub-humans in the Middle Passage. After reading the works of James Sweet and Katrina Thompson, it is evident that the slaves were treated as commodities, rather than human beings. My research will center on the book The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano by Olaudah Equiano, in which the author recounts his experience as a slave going throu gh the Middle Passage. Other works such as Ring Shout, Wheel About The Racial Politics of MusicRead More Jessica Rodriguez Essay1364 Words   |  6 PagesAccuracy in Equiano’s Novel Olaudah Equiano’s autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself, has become a very important piece of literature. Equiano established a new type of literature with this novel. It was the first autobiography/slave narrative ever written. Many other slaves, such as Fredrick Douglass, followed his example in writing autobiographies or slave narratives. Equiano not only gives detailed descriptionsRead MoreSummary : Free Slave Voice 1397 Words   |  6 Pagessurvival at Auschwitz. In order to correct unjust or evil, we who stand by and say nothing must speak up, be heard, and be understood for we are many and evil is few. (OE) after reading the excerpt of â€Å"The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African,† it was then necessary to read the complete text. Upon completion of the reading, I found that it was somewhat troublesome because there is not a sense of urgency in the tone of his writing to help his fellow NegrosRead MoreTriangular Trade Route And The Middle Passage Essay1042 Words   |  5 Pagesspecific goods, like rum, in return for African slaves. The transfer of the slaves was referred to as the middle passage. The middle passage was a harsh and aggressive way of trading African slaves for economic use. The use of African slaves may have been a short term success for the American people however, the long term effect was horrific. Slave trade dates back to Ancient Europe, so the Middle passage shouldn’t be anything different from the norm. However, this was a harsh and gruesome way of tradingRead MoreEquiano s Depiction Of His African Brethren And Their Place1205 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Discuss Equiano s depictions of his African brethren and their place/role in society on both sides of the Atlantic. For example: What is life and slavery like in Africa? In America? How is life different for slaves and free black men in America (is one better or worse according to Equiano)?† Samuel Jeffcoat AMH2010-16Spring 0W59 February 26, 2016 Life for Equiano was an emotional roller coaster. He was overwhelmed by turmoil and rejoice as he was separated and reunited with his familyRead MoreEquiano s From The Interesting Narrative Of Olaudah Equiano980 Words   |  4 PagesOlaudah Equiano’s â€Å"From the Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano† is written with the intent of ending the slave trade and aiding the abolitionists’ movement. His narrative tells his personal story of kidnapping, being sold into slavery and his experience in the middle passage. According to this account Olaudah Equiano grew up in Africa with a large family. He was captured and sold into slavery at age eleven. As an adult he became an opposing voice to slavery. This autobiography was publishedRead MoreEssay on Olaudah Equiano1220 Words   |  5 Pagesfor the stories past down from generation to generation or the documentations in historical books, the history of the twelve million African slaves that traveled the â₠¬Å"Middle Passage† in miserable conditions would not exist. Olaudah Equiano contributes to this horrid history with The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano. Through this narrative, the appalling personal experience of each slave is depicted. He accomplishes his rhetorical purpose of informing the world of the slave experienceRead MoreOlaudah Equiano s The Slave Of The European Essay1711 Words   |  7 Pageseating. This indeed was often the case with myself † Teasley 4 (quizlet.com). Olaudah-Equiano’s previous master treated him with respect and really took care of him, however once he was a slave of the European’s he and all of the other slaves were treated inhumanely. Once Equiano enters this environment, he was immediately terrified because he was not use to the form of treatment he was receiving. In addition, Equiano thought of jumping off the ship, but the slaveholders watched him and others tooRead MoreAn Analysis of Olaudah Equianos The Middle Passage1019 Words   |  4 PagesMiddle Passage by Olaudah Equiano One of the most interesting arguments that modern apologists makes for the practice of race-based slavery in the Americas is the fact that slavery existed in Africa during that time period and that Africans were complicit in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. What is fascinating about Olaudah Equianos discussion of the Middle Passage is that, as a man who had been enslaved in Africa prior to being shipped as a slave to the Americas, he was in a unique position