WEBQUEST+HANDOUT

Slavery Webquest

Introduction

Slavery predates writing and can be found in almost all cultures and continents. Historically, most slaves were

initially captured in wars or kidnapped in isolated raids but some were sold into slavery by their parents as a means

of surviving extreme conditions. African American slavery however, is unique though in that it was based not on any

of the traditional reasons for enslavement. Instead, African American Slavery was based on a new concept called

race.

Begin the quest by going to:

UNDERSTANDING SLAVERY

1. What were the “three points” of the triangle? (3 points)

a.

b.

c

2. List three items exported form each “point” of the triangle. (3 points)

a. _, _, & _.

b. _, _, & _.

c. _, _, & _.

3. How many Africans were sold into slavery in Africa? How many died before reaching the coast? How many

did not survive the voyage to the new world? (3 points)

a.

b.

c.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1h280.html

4. What did the ship’s captain do upon outbreak of disease on his slave ship? How many total died? (4 points)

a.

b.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1p263.html

5. What had become a defining characteristic of slaves in Virginia? (2 points) http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1p262.html

6. What did Virginia law say in respect to a child’s freedom? (2 points)

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1p268.html

7. What were the punishments for a slave who broke the following rules? (3 points)

Murder:

Robbery:

Associating with whites:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1h308.html

8. What actions or behaviors would require a punishment with this device? (2 points)

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1h315.html

9. What does “anti-amalgamation” mean? What would happen if you were guilty of this? (4 points)

a.

b.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part3/3h511.html

10. What are the two main points of the Missouri Compromise (2 points)

a.

b.

11. What was the only slave state allowed above “the line”? (2 points)

http://www.pocanticohills.org/womenenc/tubman3.html

12. What was the Underground Railroad? (2 points)

13. What was a conductor? (2 points)

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1h294.html

14. What was the purpose of this image in the South? (2 points) Go to http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/experience/responses/index.html

Click on the link for Original Documents

Click on the link that says “Captain Thomas Phillips' journal of the voyage of the HANNIBAL”

15. According to Captain Thomas Phillips, in what two ways would Africans commit suicide to avoid slavery?

What did the Africans believe would happen to them when they died? (4 points)

a.

b.

Click on the link that says “Affidavit of Singweh, an AMISTAD African”

16. What did the whites tell the African slaves they would do with them once they landed? (2 points)

Click on the link that says “Desperate Negro Woman from the STAUNTON VINDICATOR”

17. What did the “desperate negro woman” do to prevent her sale and get revenge upon her master? (2

points)

Click on the link that says “Reward announcement for capture of runaways”

18. What is the reward being offered for the return of five runaway slaves? Where is it believed that they are

going and who is most likely helping them? (6 points)

a.

b.

c.

Click on the link that says “THE LIFE OF WILLIAM GRIMES, THE RUNAWAY SLAVE. WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.”

19. What methods would William Grimes use to convince his abusive master to sell him? (2 points)

Access the following link and complete each of the dilemmas while answering the questions below.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/experience/responses/feature.html

20. What factors contributed to Cynthia’s decision? Explain your reaction to being faced with this dilemma. (4

points)

a.

b.

21. What were the actions of the African men and women aboard the Slave Ship Robert? Imagining you were

forced into conditions such as these, what actions would you most likely commit? (4 points)

a.

b.

22. Explain the complexity of Josiah Henson’s dilemma. What decision did he make? Do you believe he

regretted his course of action? Explain. (6 points)

a.

b.

c.

23. What do you think of the decision John Mason made regarding his dilemma? (2-3 sentence response) (2

points)

24. What does William Grimes dilemma suggest about the complexity of relationships between those who were

enslaved? (Complete sentences required) (2 points)

25. Provide three facts from the Charles Ball outcome. (3 points)

a.

b.

c.

Go to http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/ and click on the Begin the

Journey arrow. Read the story of Walter and explore his journey.

On the Plantation

26. What are some of the main reasons Walter would want to escape the plantation? (2 points)

27. What was an overseer? What was their job on a plantation? (2 points)

28. Describe the slaves living quarters. Where and how did they live? (2 points) Escape!

29. What challenges did Walter face on his journey north? (2 points)

30. Name two ways slaves knew which direction to travel. (2 points)

31. What would happen to Walter if he was caught? (2 points)

Reaching Safety

32. How did John provide assistance to Walter? (2 points)

33. Name two ways stationmasters and conductors kept fugitives safe from slave catchers. (2 points)

34. Is Walter free once he reaches Ohio? Why or not? (2 points)

Reaching Freedom

35. What surprised Walter when he reached Cleveland? What things would shock runaway slaves when they

arrived in a northern city? (2 points)

36. Why were posters and/or newspapers a problem for runaway slaves in northern cities? (2 points)

37. How were African-Americans (who were free) treated in northern cities? (2 points)