Help students explore the human experience of the transatlantic slave trade through this powerful source analysis activity. Students will read adapted historical excerpts describing conditions aboard slave ships and analyze the physical, emotional, and long-term effects of the Middle Passage.

Students will:

• Read and evaluate multiple historical source excerpts
• Examine conditions aboard slave ships during the Middle Passage
• Analyze the experiences of enslaved Africans and those involved in the trade
• Identify evidence from historical texts
• Develop critical-thinking and close-reading skills
• Write an evidence-based reflection paragraph using information from the sources

This activity encourages students to engage thoughtfully with an important and difficult topic in world history while practicing historical analysis and evidence-based writing.

Skills Covered:

• Primary source analysis
• Close reading
• Historical thinking
• Evidence-based writing
• Critical analysis
• Understanding multiple perspectives

Includes:

• Five adapted historical source excerpts
• Text-dependent comprehension questions
• Reflection paragraph prompt
• Ready-to-print worksheet

Sources & Credits

• Historical information is based on accounts associated with Olaudah Equiano and other historical descriptions of the Middle Passage and transatlantic slave trade.
• Several excerpts have been adapted, condensed, or simplified for educational purposes and student accessibility.
• Worksheet structure, adapted passages, and questions were created with the assistance of ChatGPT.
• This resource is intended for classroom instruction and does not represent complete reproductions of original historical document