Slave Trade Triangle & Spirituals - Social Studies

We have been learning about "The Slave Trade Triangle" that occurred between the late 16th and 19th century. So, what is the slave trade triangle? Back then, slavery was a big thing in the Americas, they would take people from western Africa to work for them without payment, in exchange for goods. 

How exactly were African enslaved? They would get kidnapped, captured, raided, some who had debt were also taken. They took them in the ships, there, they lied down side by side, no food, no water or even use of the toilet, they were literally jailed inside the low decks of the ship. According to researches and scientists, approximately 12.5 million Africans were enslaved in the Americas.

This is the link to the passage around the countries as well as additional information.

https://www.google.co.nz/maps/d/edit?mid=13HfN6O8qDhpkiAJ5l_u_X3DcTHeVgwkr&usp=sharing

In Africa, the use of music is important and valued, back when slavery was a thing, they use music as a way to pass messages and to escape from being slave-captive. Others use it for celebrations, such as a wedding, birthdays, funerals, etc. They are called the "Spirituals". One of the spiritual songs used was "Wade in the water". 

Wade in the water means to swaddle, back in the era of slavery, since slaves were restricted to go out, furthermore, escape. The farm was surrounded by trained dogs of the Americans. Harriet Tubman was a famous woman for successfully helping African slaves to escape. Whenever she was ordered to give other slaves food and water or laundry, she would sing to them wade in the water, there the slaves will get the lyrics of the song and understand the plan. Back to the topic of dogs used to guards the slaves, dogs can't sense a person's scent in the water. With that, we would know that their plan was to escape at night because it's dark and everyone's tired and some are asleep. There were households that helped them escape, the slaves would stay there for the night and then continue the next. They travelled far away from the farm and go to a port where they will be taken in ships to go somewhere far. The Africans were scattered over the world where they had to adjust to a different environment and lived peacefully. 

Slavery still happens up to today though they are not called slavery, we now call it human trafficking. What is Human Trafficking? Human Trafficking is a crime and is illegal, it involves trading and selling humans (men, women, children) by force in exchange for money, stealing their freedom for the profit they get from selling these people. 

What happens in Human Trafficking? The most common reason why human trafficking happens is for adultery, even children, they are sold for their bodies. You could call it "Sex Slave". Others do it is because they want people to work for their farm, factories, work as a maid, etc.

We must stand against the torture and unfair treatment others do to one, especially those who sit in a higher rank than other civilians. We should spread the word. Come as one. Fight for freedom, humanity, and equality.