Read the following excerpt from John Atkins, a Royal Navy surgeon, describing a 1721 shipboard rebellion on the vessel *Robert* led by a captive named Tomba:
"[Tomba] resolved on making an attempt for his liberty... He found only three others, who dared to engage with him... [and] a woman, who, by her companionship, had free access to all parts of the ship, and was to bring them intelligence when the officers were asleep... They fell on the two men on watch... and killed them on the spot..."
Based on the excerpt, which of the following conclusions is best supported regarding Middle Passage resistance?
- It involved strategic planning, division of labor, and gendered cooperation among captives to exploit vulnerabilities in shipboard security.Answer
- BIt was typically limited to individual covert actions such as hunger strikes or self-harm, as captives were unable to coordinate physical mutinies.
- CIt was largely spontaneous and lacked strategic coordination, reflecting the complete loss of social cohesion among captives.
- DIt was only attempted by captives who shared a single, homogenous West African language and culture, preventing cooperation across ethnic groups.
Answer
It involved strategic planning, division of labor, and gendered cooperation among captives to exploit vulnerabilities in shipboard security.
The correct answer is correct because the excerpt describes a structured attempt where Tomba recruited specific men and collaborated with an enslaved woman who used her relative mobility on the ship to gather intelligence, demonstrating organized planning, gendered division of labor, and clear agency during the Middle Passage.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Agency and organization in Middle Passage resistance
Estimated Time:2m 0s