Page 710 Olaudah Equiano

Slaves ships took a few steps to ensure maximum profits: physical beatings, psychological punishment, and restraining movement of the Africans. This stopped the rebellion and suicide of slaves, which in turn kept them alive to be sold across the Atlantic Ocean.

Physical beatings includes the whipping of Africans who attempted suicide by jumping out of the ship. Also, Equiano was beaten and force-fed food after refusing to accept their food. These physical beatings tie into the psychological punishments. The Africans on board the ship had to decide between remaining on the ship with filthy conditions, knowing that their future was empty of any hope. Or they could have attempted suicide and end their torture, and if they failed, then they would be tortutered hourly before they return to the same hopeless situation they were in before. The ships also restrained the movement of Africans on board. There was netting of some sort that prevented them from jumping overboard. In addition to that, many were chained to the ship, and the ones who weren't were placed under the supposedly careful watch of some crewmembers.

Map of Africa and DBQ

Map of Africa

The document based question is really different, and to me, not in a good way. There's so much more to write for the document based question, each document requiring 4 sentences with specific targets. I think with enough practice, the requirements for each document will become ingrained, making the DBQ relatively easy because there's no need for outside knowledge regarding these questions. Grouping the documents was a bit challenging for me as well. For me, it's something that needs to click, and that could take anywhere from a minute to 15 minutes. I think the organization will also come with practice too. Time management is also a key point in this essay compared to the other two essay types. It's different, but not too challenging except for the writing cramps.

Roman City Prompts

c. How does an aqueduct move water? How is this like or unlike the way a qanat worked in Persia?

Aquedeucts were built into mountains so that they could tap into its water supply.  These aqueducts would carry water through its structure for long distances using arches.  Multiple levels of arches were built when crossing a barricade like water.  The aqueducts would be built with a slight slant so that gravity could transport the water to its destination.  The qanats in Persia were similar in that gravity was used to transport water from a source of water located in a mountain.  However, the difference was that the aqueducts were built above ground, and qanats were built underground.

f. Why can’t Marcus Fabricius marry Aiden? How does this compare to attitudes about marriage in Classical Era India?

Fabricius cannot marry Aiden because Fabricius is a citizen of Rome, but Aiden is not.  This is similar to marriage in Classical Era India in that there were certain criteria that needed to be reached.  In India, the two people who wish to be wed needed to be in the same caste and jati, and in Rome both needed to be a Roman citizen.

g. What attitudes toward slavery are displayed by the characters in the film? Are slaves the same in Rome as they were in Classical Greece?

Slaves are treated with more respect than what is accustomed.  The owners were lenient in their behavior towards slaves, and the slaves were allowed to be free.  Slaves were also allowed to be craftsmen.  The slaves were treated similarly in Greece as they were in Rome.  Slaves in Greece were given incentive to work hard because they were provided with shops and a portion of their earnings.  If they were skilled successful enough, they were able to win their freedom.