What was life like on board the transportation ship? - Presentation

The educational unit provided by Focus Education (UK) Ltd delves into the harrowing realities of life aboard slave ships during the transatlantic slave trade. The primary objective is to enlighten pupils about the brutal conditions faced by enslaved Africans on their way to the Caribbean or America. To provide a vivid understanding, the unit suggests viewing three internet clips that depict a true reflection of the journey. Pupils are encouraged to conduct research and read factual evidence to gain a comprehensive grasp of the subject. The culmination of the unit is an impactful activity where pupils are tasked with writing a letter to the government of the time, urging them to cease this inhumane practice of transportation.

Further exploration reveals the lengthy duration slave ships spent along the African coast, the minimal diet provided to the slaves, and the demographic breakdown of those on board. The conditions on these ships were abysmal, with men shackled tightly in the lower decks, while women and children were kept separately, often suffering mistreatment. Overcrowding, disease, and a lack of sanitation were rampant, leading to high mortality rates. Despite some European governments implementing laws to improve conditions, these were primarily for the crew's benefit rather than the enslaved individuals. By the end of the unit, pupils are expected to have crafted a compelling letter of protest, using facts from their research and the emotional impact of the clips to express their condemnation of the slave trade.