What does the term "Second Middle Passage" refer to?

The term "Second Middle Passage" refers to the internal slave trade within the United States that primarily took place in the 19th century. This trade involved the forced transportation of enslaved African Americans from the Upper South to the Deep South, as demand for slave labor in agriculture, particularly in cotton production, surged. During this process, many families were separated when individuals were sold off to different plantations, leading to significant disruptions in kinship ties and social structures within the enslaved community.

This internal movement of enslaved people, which took place after the Transatlantic Slave Trade had ended, highlights the domestic nature of American slavery and emphasizes the personal and emotional impact on those who were enslaved. It was a tragic aspect of American history that resulted in the breaking apart of families and the loss of community for many African Americans. This profound impact of the Second Middle Passage is what makes it a crucial element in understanding the legacy and realities of slavery in the United States.