#AP African American Studies: The Middle Passage & Resistance - Study Guide

Hey! Let's get you prepped for this exam. We're going to break down the Middle Passage and African resistance, making sure you're not just memorizing facts, but understanding the big picture. Think of this as your ultimate cheat sheet! 😉

#The Horrors of the Middle Passage & African Resistance

#African Resistance on Slave Ships

• The Middle Passage wasn't just a passive journey; it was a battleground. Enslaved Africans actively fought for their freedom in many ways.

• Methods of Resistance:

  • Hunger Strikes: A powerful form of protest, both individually and collectively, against the trauma of being uprooted and enslaved. 🙅🏾‍♀️
  • Jumping Overboard: Choosing death over a life of bondage, highlighting the desperation and resilience of enslaved people.
  • Coordinated Revolts: Overcoming language barriers to organize uprisings, demonstrating unity in the face of oppression. ✊🏾
  • Sabotage: Damaging ship equipment to disrupt operations and assert agency.
  • Work Slowdowns & Feigned Illness: Disrupting the daily routine of the ship to reclaim some control.

• Impact of Resistance:

  • Increased Costs: Enslavers faced higher expenses due to damaged goods, lost labor, and the need for more security. 💰
  • Heightened Dangers: Crew members were constantly at risk of revolts and physical harm. ⚠️
  • Changes in Ship Design: Barricades, nets, and more weapons were added to suppress resistance. 🚢

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* **1839:** More than 30 years after the abolition of the slave trade, highlighting the persistence of illegal trafficking. * **Led by Sengbe Pieh:** A Mende captive who galvanized others to fight for freedom. 💪🏾 * **Successful Takeover:** The enslaved Africans took control of the ship, a major victory. * **Legal Battle:** A two-year fight that ended with the Supreme Court granting the captives their freedom. ⚖️ * **Public Sympathy:** Exposed the cruelty of the slave trade and fueled the abolitionist movement.

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following was NOT a common method of resistance used by enslaved Africans on slave ships? a) Hunger strikes b) Jumping overboard c) Negotiating with the crew d) Sabotage

2. The La Amistad revolt is significant because it: a) Led to the immediate end of the transatlantic slave trade. b) Demonstrated the legal rights of enslavers to their human property. c) Resulted in a Supreme Court decision granting freedom to the enslaved Africans. d) Was a typical example of how most slave revolts ended.

Short Answer Question

Briefly explain two ways in which African resistance on slave ships impacted the economics of the transatlantic slave trade.

Free Response Question

Analyze the various methods of resistance employed by enslaved Africans during the Middle Passage and discuss how these acts of resistance influenced the design of slave ships and the broader abolitionist movement. In your response, consider the following:

• Specific examples of resistance
• The impact of resistance on the economics of the slave trade
• How resistance influenced the design of slave ships
• The role of resistance in inspiring the abolitionist movement

Scoring Breakdown

• Methods of Resistance (2 points):
  • 1 point for identifying at least two distinct methods of resistance (e.g., hunger strikes, revol...