Triangular Trade Document Analysis

Historical Context: WHEN was the document produced?(periodization) WHAT was the location/time? HOW does it relate to a specific time period? (contextualization) WHAT major events can be linked to this document? (continuity and change or compare)

The historical context of this document was the increase of slave trade and labor in the colonies as well as the transatlantic slave trade in the 18th and 19th century, which is shown by the description of the kidnapping of Olaudah and his sister into slavery, the journey on a slave ship to Barbadoes, and the process of a slave auction. Slaves were becoming a higher demand in the new world so that the colonies can produce more goods to allow the crowned governments to make larger profits. The increase in slave labor can be traced back to Bacon's rebellion which caused the decrease of indentured servants and the increase of a need for cheep labor.

Was the document produced for a private or public audience? WHO is expected to follow/be persuaded by the document’s content?

The intended audience of this document is the general public, especially people looking to buy slaves, which is shown by the explanation of the journey to the new world through the middle passage of the triangular trade routes. The depiction of the middle passage was to inform future buyers of the unfair treatment that Africans underwent to come to the Americas. Olaudah wrote the story of the happy life before slavery and the process of becoming a slave in hopes to make people see the error in slavery.

Purpose (Author’s): WHY was this document created at this time? (historical causation or historical argumentation) Inform? Persuade? Entertain? Criticize?