N5 History - The Atlantic Slave Trade 1770-1807

Describe the methods used to oppose the Atlantic slave trade

-Abolitionists decided the best way to stop slavery would be to stop British ships taking enslaved people to Africa -In the 1780s escaped slaves formed the 'Sons of Africa'. The group included Olaudah Equiano. -Ex slave Ottadah Cugoano wrote about his experiences and campaigned for change -Books and pamphlets were published. Many with pictures, as literacy rates were low -Josiah Wedgewood designed the famous logo 'Am I Not a Man and a Brother'. This became the official emblem of the abolitionist movement. It appeared on pottery and special brooches and pendants were made -Petitions were sent to Parliament. 1787-88 100 petitions were sent with 60,000 signatures -Quakers lobbied MPs to persuade them to change the law. Olaudah Equiano spoke to MPs and the PM and explained what conditions were like on the slave ships -William Wilberforce made many speeches in Parliament. He tried every year from 1790-1806 to pass a bill to change the law -Quakers (a religious group which had broken from the Church of England) campaigned against slavery, producing books and pamphlets. Strong Christian argument against slavery -Many Evangelicals fought against slavery. John Newton who a book of hymns and 'Amazing Grace.' -Many women fought against slavery, such as the Duchess of Devonshire -Women played a key role in the sugar boycott. By 1792 400,000 were boycotting slave-produced sugar

How did Liverpool benefit from the slave trade?

-By 1780s largest slave-ship building site in Britain -Slave trade made Liverpool one of the richest trading centres in the world -They avoided tax by landing good close by on the Isle of Man -Cheaper to crew a ship from Liverpool, so was the port of choice -Liverpool's dock was deeper than Bristol or London, and not effected by tide -As a result of these savings Liverpool could sell slaves £5 cheaper than Bristol merchants

Explain how Africans were enslaved

-Captured in war, some were kidnapped, some had broken the law. Others enslaved to pay a debt -At first Europeans came ashore to kidnap all they could. Easier to deal with a local middleman, who acquired slaves inland -Slaves then sold to a factory on the coast. Slaves might be kept in forts - there were 30 stone forts along the Gold Coast (Ghana). -Slaves then waited to be put on slave ships. Disease was rampant - 45% died here.

Describe the middle passage

-Carpenters rigged up extra shelving below decks + built safety barriers -Slaves were very susceptible to disease. The shorter the journey the better. Storms could cost extra weeks and lives -Slaves had their heads shaved before boarding. Clothes were removed -Slaves thought they would be eaten, and that Europeans red wine was actually slave blood -Slaves kept below decks in bad weather -Nets were rigged up to prevent suicides -Voyages lasted between 6 and 8 weeks -All there was for toilets was a latrine bucket. Slaves fed twice a day on beans, yams and potatoes. Given limited water. Allowed on deck in good weather -Slaves often tight packed into the smallest places. Slaves were not told where they were going -Diseases such as dysentery, scarlet fever + yellow fever common. Many went insane -Female slaves were often raped by the white crew -Attempts at rebellion were common -Before 1750 20% died, after 1750 10% died. In traders best interest to maintain decent conditions and healthy slaves -Good captains would wash the decks with vinegar regularly to expel putrid air

How did the city of London benefit from the slave trade?

-City companies made their fortunes and reputations by supporting slavery -The city provided financial services such as insurance and loans to slavers -Slave traders and planters borrowed money to set-up their operations -A merchant needed to buy or rent a ship, fill it with goods + pay wages to a captain before it left for Africa -Lloyds of London made a fortune from insuring slavers. Barclays bank was set-up to lend money to slavers. The Bank of England financed slave traders

Explain why African leaders became involved in the slave trade

-Landing fees and trading fees could be charged to European slave traders -Sometimes forced by Europeans to trade in slaves -Sold food + water to slave ships -Chance to get rid of people who had broken tribal rules -Opportunity to get hold of guns -Opportunity to get hold of luxury goods such as fine cloth and alcohol -They would be protected by European soldiers

What part did Scotland play in Atlantic slavery?

-No more than 30 slave voyages from Scottish ports and none after 1766 -Banned in Scotland in 1778 -However...many slave owners + masters were Scottish -Lyle (as in Tate + Lyle) was Scottish -Dollar Academy was founded by someone who made their fortune through slavery -60% of names in Jamaican telephone directory are Scottish - their blood relatives are Scottish -33% of Jamaican plantations were owned by Scots -Scottish merchants, based in London, established Bunce Island in Sierra Leone, which was one of the most active slave-trading posts

Why were West Africans used for work in the West Indies?

-Not enough workers to keep up with the demand for sugar -Sugar was just for the rich to sweeten newly available drinks, such as chocolate, tea + coffee -Sugar only currently grown in southern Mediterranean + north Africa -Population increase + urbanisation meant more demand for sugar -Portuguese already had connections to West Africa, so when workers died could be replaced

Explain the reasons why some people supported Atlantic slavery

-People from towns like Bristol + Liverpool benefited from slavery -Mayor of Liverpool Thomas Leyland campaigned against abolition as he reckoned towns would lose up to 60% of their wealth -Some argued the economy of the West Indies would collapse, and sugar growing would end -Abolition might bring about slave rebellions - as witnessed in Haiti -Ending the slave trade might harm the British economy, it was argued -Britain, it was argued, had to remain competitive in commerce -It was felt British people should have the choice of buying slave-produced sugar or rum if they wished

Describe the pro-slavery campaign

-People making money from the trade got behind a big campaign. Speeches of support made about the economic impact of end of plantations + loss of jobs -Articles were written in magazines -Many MPs supported the trade, and made speeches in Parliament -Delaying tactics used to slow down moves to abolish slavery -Argued more needed to be found out about the trade -False evidence was supplied to the Parliamentary enquiries about the nature of the trade -Merchants in trading ports campaigned to maintain the trade

Describe how the triangular trade was organised

-Ships travelled to West Africa, then to the West Indies, and then back to Britain -On the leg to Africa ships carried manufactured trade goods, like cloth, metal pots and pans, and guns -When ships arrived in West Africa slaves were collected -Once in the West Indies slaves were sold -On return leg to Britain, ships carried valuable goods like sugar + ivory

What part did Africans play in the slave trade?

-Slavery had existed in Africa for thousands of years -African chiefs + kings received large profits from slave traders -European slave traders bought their fresh food and water from Africans for the journey -African kings fought their neighbours to increase their share of the trade -Africans enslaved and sold people from other tribes

Describe the ways in which enslaved people resisted on the plantation

-Slaves sometimes left the plantation without permission -Slaves might attempt to runaway -Slaves might deliberately do things wrong/slowly

To what extent was the failure of resistance on the middle passage due to the poor physical state of the enslaved people?

-Slaves were chained up to each other, although women + children were free -Slaves condition could vary - they were actually fed better than they would have been whilst waiting for transport -African people were not used to sailing ships, and did not know how to sail -Often people from different tribes (speaking different languages) were held, as a policy of slaving captains.

Explain the process of slave sales

-Sold at auction, often a scramble. Those left, the 'refuse slaves' were often left on the quayside -Slaves were prepared for sale. They were greased with animal fat. Disease + illness was disguised -Captives listed by sex, age + geographical origin -Slaves were branded by new owners

Explain the reasons why many people in Britain continued to support the slave trade

-The slave trade brought employment to Britain in areas such as shipyards, ports, mills, manufacturing, so was supported many involved in these industries -Cities profited from the slave trade (eg Bristol, Liverpool and Glasgow), so many in these cities wished to see slavery continue -The products of the slave trade were in great demand (eg cotton, tobacco and sugar) and many believed that slavery was needed in order to meet demand for these products -Involvement in the slave trade helped Britain to remain a world power, so many continued to support slavery -The slave trade was seen as a valuable training ground for the Royal Navy -Many MPs had financial interests in the slave trade, so wished to see it continue -Many MPs were being bribed to ensure that they continued to give their support for the continuation of the trade -The slave trade still enjoyed the support of the King -Profits from the trade were essential to fund the war with France

Explain the reasons for the growth in the slave trade

-The trade in sugar created a great demand for labour to work in plantations -Sugar cane growing was labour intensive and required many people to plant, harvest + process -British traders saw no harm in enslaving African people. Even the church had plantations + owned slaves -Native West Indians soon died, and other solutions to the labour problem had failed. British convicts + bonded labourers could not cope with the working conditions -Growing population + urbanisation in Europe resulted in increased demand

Explain the reasons for the growth of the abolitionist movement

-Tireless campaigning of William Wilberforce for 20 years -Cases such as those of the Zong were well publicised. -Work of men such as Granville Sharp + Thomas Clarkson

Explain the reasons for the abolition of the slave trade in 1807

-Tireless campaigning of William Wilberforce for 20 years -Death of William Pitt, and replacement PM Lord Grenville, who was persuaded that the time was right to end the slave trade -Public opinion turned against the slave trade -Work of abolitionists such as Granville Sharp, Thomas Clark + Olaudah -Some argue that the trade was ended as it was no longer profitable - there were problems with natural disasters such as hurricanes in the West Indies as well slave resistance -Sugar could be produced cheaper in India, without slave labour -The industrial revolution brought new ways of making money without such risk -Fear of slave rebellions, such as in Haiti. Rumours of events in Haiti filtered down and made slaves more hostile -Napoleon tried to restore French slavery - here was a chance to assert British (moral) superiority over the French!

How did Bristol benefit from the slave trade?

They became specialists in trading with West Africa -Close relationships with slave traders in West Africa. Bristol merchants were trusted by Bristol merchants -Industries such as copper-smelting, sugar-refining + glass-making grew as a result of the slave trade