Arguements Agaisnt Slave Trade Flashcards
(9 cards)
What did proponents of enslavement of non-Christian Africans argue?
It was the natural order of things
They cited biblical justification for their beliefs.
What economic consequences did abolitionists fear if the slave trade was abolished?
Higher prices for goods and loss of jobs in mills and factories
This was due to the reliance on slave labor for profitable plantations.
How did slave traders respond to abolitionist claims about the horrors of the slave trade?
They argued that enslaved people were well treated and happier as slaves
This was an attempt to downplay the brutal realities of slavery.
What was the argument made by merchants and businessmen regarding the British economy?
The economy depended on wealth and employment created by the slave trade
They feared that abolition would lead to high unemployment.
What was King George III’s position on the continuation of the slave trade?
He supported it because it strengthened the British Empire
He believed abolition would weaken the Empire during critical wars.
What major event contributed to the delay of abolition in Britain?
The outbreak of the French Revolution
The revolution made politicians wary of radical changes.
How did the French Revolution affect British attitudes towards abolition?
It made abolitionism seem unpatriotic
There was fear of a similar uprising in Britain.
What military conflict was Britain involved in following the French Revolution?
War with France
Profits from the slave trade were considered essential for military funding.
What was the government’s response to abolitionist protests during the war with France?
The government cracked down on protests
This made it harder to campaign against the slave trade.
