At the turn of the 18th century, the Portugese began to focus on regions farther south in Africa. They inhabited and later took over major parts of Angola (southern Africa), which the Portugues used as the predominant location to supply slaves for the Engenhos (sugarcane plantations). After capturing the Africans in Angolia, the Portugues were faced with the henious task of transporting the slaves to the major ports in Brazil. The most common route from the southern parts of Africa back to Brazil was through the middle passage.
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The middle passageThe middle passage was the fastest route from Angolian ports to slave markets on the Brazilian coast. It was a specific route that was used in the 18th century for the transportation of slaves, which was southernmost passage of the many transatlantic routes (1400-1800). The middle passage, during its usage, initiated great prosperity in the Potugues’ and European’s economy, while depleting Africa’s. Portugal’s economy was skyrocketing due to the extremely profitable slave labour and cheap means of transportation of the captured, African slaves across the middle passage.
The Slave Ship, 1745. This excerpt is from the autobiography of Mahommah G. Baquaqua. He was a freed slave who went on to recount his horrible treatment in a book.
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Death tollAs a result of the Middle passage being such a costly efficient way to transport slaves across the Atlantic ocean, there were many abhorrent issues that were present on the middle passage. The most considerable of these issues was the inconceivable mortality rate of slaves while on the ships. Upwards to 80% of the slaves that were originally captured in Angola, did not survive the lengthy and abominable voyage of the middle passage. Causes for such high mortality began in the easy spread of disease within the dark, enclosed slave quarters of the ship. Along with the deadly diseases, the slaves were incredibly malnourished and crammed into tiny spaces with no ventilation or bathrooms. The captured slaves were forced to relieve themselves in the same place they slept, ate and waited out the cruel journey. Plus, when a slave passed away, the crew members would simply toss the corpse into the Atlantic ocean. All of these factors contributed greatly to the inhumane treatment of the slaves on the ship, and the unfathomably high death toll.
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