5. Colonial America in the Eighteenth Century, 1701

Quiz for Making Historical Arguments: Why Did Few Colonists Oppose the African Slave Trade?

Choose the best answer to each question. Click the “submit” button for each question to turn in your work.

1. For centuries, how did Africans and people in other regions of the world define legitimate slavery?

Enslaving people captured in war

Purchasing slaves for a fair price

Kidnapping for the purpose of slavery

Enslaving those of a different religion

2. Why did slave traders insist on harsh and cruel discipline on the ships bringing slaves to the Americas?

They held the most racist views of African slaves.

They were outnumbered by the slaves and feared a violent slave revolt.

They did not care whether slaves died or were in bad health.

The slave traders and crewmen on slave ships were often violent criminals.

3. Which of the following was a way that Benjamin Lay protested the slave trade?

Refusing to associate with Quaker slave owners

Freeing all of his slaves

Kidnapping the child of a slaveholder

Helping slaves run away from their masters

4. Besides the Quakers, how did other Christians respond to slavery?

They did not oppose slavery but did advocate for more humane treatment of slaves.

They supported slavery but acknowledged that the Bible forbade it.

They also realized the evils of slavery and soon opposed it.

They ignored slavery’s brutality and supported the slave trade.

5. What rule did Quakers ultimately adopt regarding slavery?

People could decide whether or not to have slaves depending on their own conscience.

Slavery should be violently opposed.

Slaveholders were not allowed to participate in church activities.

Quakers could own no more than five slaves.