The Slave Trade

The case of the zong

Captain had insurance saying that he could throw cargo overboard if it would save the ship or the rest of the cargo After weeks at sea with dying cargo and a short water supply so he decided to throw the cargo overboard so the insurers would pay The owner of the zong claimed money for the slaves that had died but the insurers objected and wanted to charge him with fraud. The insurers had discovered that when the ship arrived in Jamiaca it had a large water supply and the ships locks book had disappeared When the case went to court the judge and jury decided the insurers had to pay No officer or crew member was ever prosecuted for the deliberate killing of the Africans Was reported wildly in newspapers many were shocked by the cruelty suffered by the slaves case of the zong was studied by the abolitionists

Importance of sugar

Christopher Colmbus convinced the world was round and he thought he could get to India by sailing west They spotted land but it was not India it was the west indies they did not grow spices but they did grow sugar which was just as valuable for sweetening foods and drinks

Resistance on the slave plantations?

Doing a job slowly or badly petty thieving

Slave auctions in west Indies

AUCTIONS: most common posters displayed to attract buyers slaves sold to the highest bidder. This often split up many of the slave family SCRAMBLE: slaves kept together and buyers payed before hand. Once buyers had paid they ran to where the slaves were and grabbed the slaves they wanted. This was humiliating and scary. The buyers pulled at their faces to look at their teeth. Many were split up from family REFUSE: These were slaves not taken in the scramble. They were sold in lots to anyone who would take them. Those too weak were often left to die. sometimes they were purchased by doctor for a small price who hoped to cure them and sell them on for a higher price. Plantation owners also bought them with the view of working them to death

Effect of the slave trade on African societies?

Areas of Africa which had slaves for a long time benefited even more when the trade route was introduced. The trade of slaves moved to the west coast of Africa where Africans traded with Europeans. This meant costal tribes became experts at capturing slaves. As costal tribes could trade slaves for weapons and tools they gained power over their neighbours and kidnapped members of their tribes

The reasons people continued to support the slave trade

Brought good wealth to Britain so was popular with those who became wealthy Created jobs ( ship building, weaving ect) Products of the slave trade were in great demand( sugar, tabacco) seen as valuable training ground for the royal navy Cities profited from slavery so many people living in these cities wished to see slavery continue Many MPS were being bribed to ensure they continued to give their support to continuation of the slave trade

French revolution

French revolutionary ideas of liberty and freedom became linked with arguments of abolitionists and this alarmed the British government and made it hard for them to hold meetings British became involved in the french revolutionary wars. to oppose slavery seemed unpatriotic to many and the abolitionists lost support Britain needed ships and sailors to protect itself and the empire at times of war. the slave trade provided training for young men Britain needed a lot of money to pay for the war with France and the ending of the slave trade would cost too much

Effect of slave trade on London

From 1663 to 1698 London was the only port allowed to trade African slaves The city provided the finical services that were necessary for the success of the trade. Slave merchants and slave plantation owners needed: to borrow money to rent a ship, fill it with goods and pay wages of crew they needed insurance. If a vessel hit a storm then cargo could be lost . without insurance a trader could lose everything some of the most famous city companies made their reputations by supporting the slave trade

Working conditions on the plantations

Growing sugar was gruelling work Arriving at work at dawn slaves on stopped for rest at food and lunch time after which they worked till night fall they would have to do further chores at their living quarters before going to bed They were whipped if they didn't work hard enough Long working hours GIRLS: girls worked on estates at the early age of 4 white masters treated the slaves like property slaves who disobeyed or resisted were punished in violent ways Lawyers and judges of islands were slave owners so there was little interest in prosecuting for the mistreatment of slaves

Lose pack

Had enough space to move and lie out slightly Fewer slaves died so less money was lost

Punishments for resistance?

Hanging halters put around the neck Ears nailed to post and then cut off whipped once every month for a year forced to work in irons for a year thumbscrews

Main benefit the slave trade brought to Britain

Increased employment (ship building, banking , weaving, gun manufactures) Industrial benefits (growth of industries such as copper smelting, glass making, sugar refining) Consumer benefits (tobacco, sugar, rum) Financial benefits (Cities became rich because of slave trade, wealthy individuals invested money from the trade in schools, colleges) created social change seen as good training ground for the royal navy

Dahomey

Inland kingdom on slave coast. Organised raids into neighbouring lands largely to capture slaves to sell. They sold slaves for guns which they used to capture more slaves

Ashanti

Inland kingdom on the Gold coast. They had used slaves for years but sought more to trade for manufactured goods. They became powerful and started wars against their neighbours in order to get more slaves to trade. They had gold mines where slaves worked. They enslaved people who broke tribal law

Conditions on the middle passage

It was very hot and stench was unbearable It was often pitch black because tarpaulin was put over vents to keep water out There was little ventilation through vents diseases such as dynstery poor diet of slush force feeding was introduced for slaves who tried to starve themselves Young children falling into buckets of human waste made to dance on deck for exercise and were often whipped women often raped

Living conditions on the plantations

Lived in huts made from stone, wood or woven basket Field hands: furnished with bed, table, bench and a few cooking tools Families usually had their own rooms but shared kitchens and fireplaces with others Slave drivers: had best houses with "luxurious" such as a mattress and mosquito blanket

How was Africa affected?

Lots of land was left uncultivated as there was not enough young healthy men available to farm it Slave trade led to an increase in kidnapping and wars Native crafts died out as they could not compete with European goods Law and justice became corrupted because all crimes were punished by slavery Thousands of villages were ruined and deserted as they were raided for slaves Tribal wars carried on as they sought slaves to sell on trade helped improve transport links to the coast

MPs

Many MPs were bribed so they would continue to give their support to the continuation of the trade Had financial interests in the slave trade so wished to see it continue New PM Grenville and other MPs elected in 1806 had been persuaded the time was right to end slavery Most MPs feared losing their seats if they did not agree with the abolition

The negative impact of the slave trade on Caribbean islands

New diseases introduced to islands Slave uprisings caused damage and destruction Natural beauty of islands damaged by growth of plantations island economies stifled (became too reliant on sugar production) Brought racist attitudes to the Caribbean Fear of violent rebellion/ Caribbean become more volatile

Public opinion

Petitions boycott of sugar revival of religion ( Treat your neighbour as you wish to be treated)made people consider what the moral thing was to do Pamplets The use of wedgewood crockery

The reasons the slave trade was important to British cities

Provided employment to many people Many important buildings were made from profit of the slave trade Led to growth of banking and insurance companies in London Manufactured goods made in Britain were traded in Africa Glasgow made great profits in trade of sugar and tobacco The port cities grew in size and power through its involvement in transporting in slaves

Why did the slave trade start?

Settlers from Spain, Portugal, England and Holland began to colonise the islands. They set up plantations. The biggest problem they had was finding people to do the work. This started the trading of slaves from Africa The natives of the West Indies (Arawaks) died out. They were not used to European diseases and were hunter gatherers who were not used to farming Native Americans avoided capture by Spaniards by running into America Criminals and bondservants were brought in from Europe but they died on the journey over,died due to hard work on plantations or soon became free The work was backbreaking, hot and resisted by most Europeans SOLUTION: Bring Africans to do the work. They had farming skills to grow crops and were used to the hot climate

Jobs created by the slave trade?

Shipbuilding Chain makers Builders making the warehouses Sugar refiners Banking and insurance Gun manufacturers Weavers

Slave codes

Slave codes A slave who had run away for 3 months was to be whipped or lose limb A slave found with more than 5lbs of meat is to be whipped Any white who finds a slave outside the plantation without a ticket may whip him Any person capturing a runaway slave was to be given 500lb of sugar

Tight pack

Slaves crammed into hold shelves ran around above their heads for more slaves most ships used this method as it made the most profit caused more slaves to die

Christian

Society of friends: said slavery went against christian teachings and that all people are equal in the sight of god Felt war was wrong and the trade encouraged war in Africa They produced posters and pamphlets anyone who believed in slavery couldn't be a member Evangelical movement: it was important to do as Christ had taught at treat your neighbour the way you wish to be treated

How was the slave trade organised?

The Triangular Trade Outward passage: Europe to Africa manufactured goods (pots, pans,guns,beads, cloth, alcohol) Middle passage: Africa to West Indies slaves, palm oil, rice, ivory Homewards passage: West Indies to Europe sugar, rum, molasses, cotton and tobacco

Abolitionists first steps

The abolitionists wanted to stop slavery but knew that would raise strong opposition from the wealthy and powerful merchants and plantation owners. so their first aim was to stop British ships taking enslaved Africans to the plantations This would force owners to treat existing slaves better existing slaves would be too valuable to kill and mistreat stop the horrors of the middle passage and stop wars in Africa

Effect of slave trade on Bristol

The position of Bristol on the west coast of England gave it an advantage over London in the triangular trade. Bristol merchants were great entrepreneurs. They became specialists in trading with West Africa, marketing slaves in the west Indies colonies and supplying slaves to Jamiaca. African traders seemed to trust the Bristol merchants the most. MONEY SPENT: new buildings in centre of the city and industries such as copper-smelting, sugar-refining and glass making grew

Effect of the slave trade on Liverpool

The slave trade made Liverpool into one of the the richest and most prosperous trading centres Young and inexperienced boys became sailors instead of paying for expensive experienced sailors Liverpool avoided the tax on goods entering Britain by importing trade goods to the Isle of man who didn't have the same tax system Liverpool docks were easier to use and Large ships could be loaded and unloaded much more quickly which reduced the cost of "parking" in the docks Ways they made money: building and repairing slave ships slave trading selling produced goods like sugar, rum In production of exportable goods Insuring and financing the above operations and industries

Economic circumstances

The slave trade was becoming less profitable and wasn't making as much money in the years shortly before the abolition sugar could be make much quicker and cheaper in India without the need for slaves

Planters

They depended on slave labour to make profits They would not be able to produce goods for a high profit

Why was slave resistance on the plantations mainly unsuccessful?

They had no weapons They had no leaders The islands were small so it was difficult to hide they were brainwashed to obey language barriers between slaves the slaves knew punishments were severe

Why did so few slaves resist on middle passage?

They had no weapons weak from hunger and disease lack of opportunity as they were mostly kept shackled below deck They had no leader punishments were severe they were frightened

Methods of the abolitionists

Wedge wood produced goods with "am i not a man and a brother" Anti slavery petitions were signed Newton wrote hym "amazing grace" Clarkson visited ports such as Liverpool to collect evidence (thumbscrews, shackles, whips) Willberforce tried to persuade the prime minister/MPS were routinely pettioned Granville challenged slavery in courts John newton (forming slave ship owners) preached against slavery and wrote the hym amazing campaigned through public meetings before radio and television public meetings was the best way to gain publicity

Slave factories

When captured slaves were bound together and marched barefoot hundred of miles to the coast to the slave factories. While waiting for a ship slaves were put in prison together They were examined by surgeons excellent slave= strong,fit,healthy, no older than 35 A second rate slave= over 35, poor eyes, teeth or limbs the surgeons shaved heads and applied palm oil and filled wounds with tar to disguise age they were branded with companies branding logo if they were considered good and fit. fed poor diet of bananas, yams and boiled beans Life for Europeans diseases boredom drinking lusting after local women poor diet poor pay

Parliamentary debate

William Wilberforce's ability as a speaker convinced many presented countless bills to abolish the trade His friendship with prime minister led the campaign against slavery in parliament

Economic

cities became wealthy created new jobs Many MPS had financial interests in the slave trade growth of industries such as copper smelting manufactured goods were sold in africa cities made money from trading goods such as sugar people viewed Slave labour as inefficent way to produce goods plantation agriculture became less important to British agriculture Sugar could be produced more cheaply in India without the us of slaves Industrial revolution led to the development of new, less risky ways of making profits

Evidence used by abolitionists to argue against the slave trade

details of plantation conditions led to the boycott of sugar and slave produced goods Equiano's first hand account of the middle passage highlighted harsh conditions Clarkson brought examples of slave equipment plans of slave ships to show the public which caused outrage

Granville sharp

disturbed by killing of Africans and tried to have the crew charged with murder He used the law in the struggle against slavery Sharp won a case to set free a slave that had escaped from his plantation in the west Indies who was then recaptured. The lord chief justice ruled that slaves could not be taken out of Britain against their will

William Wilberforce

led the campaign against slavery in parliament presented to bills to abolish the slave trade used his friendship with prime minister and monarchy to win support for the abolition He was an amazing speaker and debater

Methods to prevent mutiny

nets placed on side of ships to catch slaves who tried to jump overboard some captains thought it would be better to treat the slaves well to prevent trouble slaves were treated kindly by crew, interpreters were used to tell them the whites were not cannibals instructions were given on how to behave promised abuses by sailors would be investigated allowed on deck given tobacco on certain days PUNISHMENTS: thumbscrews or back in irons hung from ship mast shot by crew thrown overboard flogging heads cut off and given to sharks

Humanitarian

people began to view africans as equal humans Christian teaching changed peoples opinions on slavery People realised the horrors of slavery society produced evidence that hundreds of seaman died every year Thomas clarkson collected evidence (thumbscrews, shackles)

Importance of spices

people depended on spices to flavour food and drinks Spices came to Europe from far East Turks gained control of middle East and cut off supply of spices to Europe Portuguese Vasco da Gama found sea route down the cope of Good Hope and made it to India this meant Europe could get the spices they needed

Fear of revolt

resistance by slaves were costly as it affected production slaves outnumbered the white masters there was successful slave revolts like in Hati which could inspire slaves slaves could steal their goods ( sugar tobacco) crew could be killed

Slave rebellions

rumours about Hati encouraged slaves to be even more determined and violent plantation owners were complaining that slaves were more stubborn and hostile

Resistance on the middle passage

trying to take over ship (mutiny), starving themselves or committing suicide If slaves were let out of their shackles for good behaviour they would try and steal a weapon to break the chains of the other slaves

How were the slaves captured in Africa?

usually ambushed when working away from village. children were also taken when playing away from adults. Once captured they were kept in irons and were often whipped. Held in wooden compounds or underground for weeks How Europeans tricked African traders? dilute spirits give kegs of gunpowder false bottoms cut pieces out of roles of cloth

Other forms of slave labour on the Caribbean islands

working on slave ships skilled men such as carpenters worked in the sugar refining maintaining equipment made food stuffs to feed the owner and other slaves converting sugar cane into sugar and rum tended to horses and cattle that were needed to operate some of the machinery domestic slaves maintained the households and served the owners factory