Read the following excerpt from a ship master's logbook during a transatlantic voyage in 1747:
'On the night of the 14th of September, the captives confined in the hold did, by some secret correspondence and understanding among themselves, though of different nations and languages, combine to break their irons. Having rid themselves of their shackles, they waited until the morning watch when the hatches were opened. They rushed upon the deck in a body, armed with parts of the water casks and pieces of iron they had wrenched from the vessel’s structure, attempting to overpower the crew and take command of the ship...'
Based on the excerpt, which of the following conclusions about captive Africans during the Middle Passage is most accurate?
- They exercised active agency by organizing collective resistance that transcended ethnic and linguistic divisions.Answer
- BThey engaged in resistance solely through organized, violent mutinies rather than through covert actions or cultural preservation.
- CThey were generally unable to coordinate effective resistance due to the severe physical constraints and linguistic isolation of the hold.
- DThey deferred collective political organizing until after their arrival in the colonies and the development of plantation communities.
Answer
They exercised active agency by organizing collective resistance that transcended ethnic and linguistic divisions.
The correct answer is correct because the ship logbook highlights how captive Africans from different 'nations and languages' were able to coordinate a revolt. This direct coordination demonstrates that enslaved Africans were not passive victims; they actively exercised agency and found ways to communicate and cooperate to execute shipboard rebellions.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Middle Passage Resistance and Agency