Disease and Mortality on the Middle Passage
This 1-page reading passage examines the devastating impact of disease and mortality on enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade. It details common illnesses and their high death rates, suitable for 10th-grade social studies or ELA classes.
“Health, Disease, and Mortality: The rapid spread of illnesses like dysentery, smallpox, and dehydration, resulting in a typical death rate of 10% to 20% during the crossing. this is pertaining to the transatlantic slave trade”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use this passage as a brief introduction to the health crises of the Middle Passage, perhaps as a 20-minute reading and discussion.
- Discussion question: How did the conditions of the Middle Passage contribute to the spread of disease and high mortality rates?
- For struggling readers, pre-teach key vocabulary such as 'mortality,' 'dysentery,' and 'smallpox.'
- Advanced students could research specific diseases mentioned and their historical impact.
What is Diffit?
Teachers use Diffit to get quality materials for their unique classrooms. Adjust difficulty, add scaffolds, or change the topic to get started.
Try Diffit for free“Health, Disease, and Mortality: The rapid spread of illnesses like dysentery, smallpox, and dehydration, resulting in a typical death rate of 10% to 20% during the crossing. this is pertaining to the transatlantic slave trade”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use this passage as a brief introduction to the health crises of the Middle Passage, perhaps as a 20-minute reading and discussion.
- Discussion question: How did the conditions of the Middle Passage contribute to the spread of disease and high mortality rates?
- For struggling readers, pre-teach key vocabulary such as 'mortality,' 'dysentery,' and 'smallpox.'
- Advanced students could research specific diseases mentioned and their historical impact.
Disease and Mortality on the Middle Passage
This 1-page reading passage examines the devastating impact of disease and mortality on enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade. It details common illnesses and their high death rates, suitable for 10th-grade social studies or ELA classes.
What is Diffit?
Teachers use Diffit to get quality materials for their unique classrooms. Adjust difficulty, add scaffolds, or change the topic to get started.
Try Diffit for free