Slavery Throughout the New World

Wooden Yokes Used in Coffles, Senegal, ca. 1789 Image Reference LCP-17

This image portrays the unique way of keeping the slaves down and minimize their resistance. The slaves have a log with one side that is a single piece with a string in the form of a circle on it ,while the other side has two branches extending out. The log is unimaginable heavy and cannot be carried by one person. There must be 2 people carrying the log. The person in the back has their noose on them while the person has their neck between the two extending branches. This is a continuous chain and if one person fails to hold their log a domino effect will occur causing the rest of the chain to be hindered. This image is very clever and dehumanizing at

the same time. It causes the slaves to follow without resistance because cooperation to not falling down and injuring everyone and themselves is very important. It plays on the weakness of being a singular person and having to rely on others. The slaves in the image also are important part of this image. Their expressions seem very genuine with their faces having a defeated and sadden look. The evil ingenuity to come up with a system like this is very disturbing.

Cape Coast Castle, Ghana, 1986 Image Reference D005

The image is a photo of the castle side. The castle was created long before the photo was taken in 1986. The castle is made of a white substance which is probably a type of hardened clay or cement. The photo shows several cannons point seaward. The curious thing is what were the cannons used for? Did the castle regularly have attackers or what is it protection that was never used. What enemies would a slave trade post have that would be enough of a threat to have cannons seaward? It may have been tribes in the neighboring area that wanted to get rid of the trade in that area or possibly rival colonial powers.

Africans Liberated from a Captured Slave Ship, 1846 Image Reference mariners07

This illustration shows the release of the slaves that were aboard a slave ship. The slaves were treated very poorly. They were branded like cattle. Branding probably used to identify each slave and to further reduce the slaves self-worth. They were all in the nude as well. All were shackled around the necks with iron braces. This image is one of the first images to show slaves being liberated. The slaves did not free themselves; in someone had the heart to go against the grain and fight for human rights on a small scale. It is interesting because this image proves opinions on slavery has changed slightly.

Slave Barracoon, Sierre Leone, 1840’s Image Reference: C008

Barracoons are outside prisons that keep slaves. The barracoon has a thatched roof and is very open ,but there are guards.The front door doesn’t have a door it’s just a big open gate that anyone can walk through so it looks like the slaves achieve freedom easily (they can’t). Every hour