Hi today im going to show you my black history project about when and how black enslavement began in Canada.
Written Report
Slavery was one of the darkest moments in Canadian history. These horrible events need to be remembered so that it never happens again and so that we never forget the horrible things that happened to all these innocent people. The topics mentioned in this essay will consist of an explanation of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, how slavery developed and differed in Canada, and last Canada’s role in the continuation of slavery.
The Transatlantic slave trade happened between 1501 and 1867. The Translantic slave trade from Africa to the New world was probably the biggest maritime migration in all of history. The reason it started was to obtain labour because the indigenous population of the New World had decreased quickly because of their lack of immunity against imported pathogens. It developed as a demand for cheap labour and to have people work on plantations, people enslaved in West Africa became the most valuable for European traders. During the slave trade, nearly 13 million African people were kidnapped and were forced onto European and American ships. Once on these ships, they would be taken across the Atlantic Ocean to be enslaved. Why did this horrible slave trade not end sooner? Many Europeans wanted more workers and power. Europe wanted more slaves so they could get more tobacco, cotton and sugar. This greed kept the slave trade going. Countries such as Portugal and Spain took the slave trade to what we now know as North America.
The types of slavery in Canada are not what we usually think of when we think of slaves. At the time, Canada was owned by Britain. As a result, Britain brought in their rules of no slavery, but this did not last forever. Later on Britain didn’t own all of Canada so the parts of Newfoundland that were taken by France had a large slave trade because they didn’t have the same rules as Britain. Because of this, Canada did not have as many slaves as other countries. Canada had no more than 2000 slaves at a time. If Canada had slaves their role would be to do house work. An example of some of the first slaves in Canada was a boy who was originally from Madagascar or Guiney; he arrived with the Kirke brothers in 1629. Before he left Quebec three years later, the latter sold him for 50 écus. The boy was then passed into the hands of the colonist Guillaume Couillard and was given the name of “Olivier Le Jeune”. Le Jeune was described as Couillard’s “domestique” servant in the record of his burial which happened 1654.
Although Canada did not have the normal type of slavery Canadians still helped support slavery. One way in which Canadians supported slavery was by buying slave made products. Canada bought products like sugar, molasses and rum which were all products that slaves made. The money went back to the owners of the slaves which made them continue with their slave trades and slave made products.
All around the world there is still racism. Although slavery has been abolished there is still racial profiling in countries around the world even in Canada. In Canada 41% of black people have reported discrimination based on their skin color. This is around 15% higher than it is for white people. We need to continue to learn about black history and use our knowledge to help in making a difference.
Creative Component
Reflection Questions
Why do you think Black enslavement in Canada is often overlooked in history lessons?
Either teachers can be uninformed or don’t want to say the wrong thing so they don’t say anything. There is also not enough new information for teachers.
What surprised you the most about your research?
I think it was that Canada was owned by other countries. I did not know that before so I found it surprising.
How does learning about this history impact your understanding of Canada today?
It makes me more knowledgeable and lets me know more about modern day life and how life might be different for other people either in the past or the present and no matter what we should all be treated equally.
Images
(Image of the transatlantic slave trade)
Bibliography
Click here to see my Biblyography!