The British Empier & The Slave Trade Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is an empire?
An ‘empire’ is a group of countries ruled over by a single monarch or ruling power. The British Empire comprised of Britain, the ‘mother country’, and the colonies, countries ruled to some degree by and from Britain.
What were the 3 reasons the slave trade was abolished?
Black campaigners
White campaigners
Economic
What was the British empire trying to do?
conquering territory but also involved establishing trade links and developing the British navy to ‘rule the waves’.
There did the sale of slaves take place?
This took place as part of the ‘trade triangle’ or triangular trade’.
What was traded in the slave triangle?
manufactured goods such as glass, alcohol, textiles and firearms would leave British ports, money and slaves.
What was the most dangerous part of the slave trade?
The Middle Passage. This was a dangerous part of the trade triangle as disease and rebellion were common. Slaves were usually shackled together and treated as cargo. Many died during this part of the journey due to appalling conditions.
What were slaves ment to do whitest working for their owners?
Most slaves worked in large hot fields harvesting, clearing land, planting, tending and harvesting cotton.
How did Britain get most of its money?
By getting things like cotton and turning it into cloth and selling it.
What year was SLAVERY abolished?
1833
Who was Olaudah Equiano? And why was he important?
Olaudah Equiano became one of the key figures in the abolitionist movement. Equiano was just ten years old when he was taken from Africa to Barbados as a slave. Equiano spent some time in London with one of his masters and learnt to read, write and he became a Christian. He bought his freedom and returned to England, where he published a story of his life. His book was read widely and turned many people against slavery. Equiano travelled the country and spoke at meetings, working closely with abolitionists such as Granville
Who was Granville sharp and why was he important?
Granville Sharp was an abolitionist who helped to secure the freedom of many enslaved people in Britain. Sharp fought many cases like this in court which started a successful movement against the slave trade. However, he was not successful in bringing about widespread abolition. A key way in which he worked was to expose the shocking of cruelty such as the Zong. William Wilberforce used his position as an Member of Parliament to bring the issue to people’s attention.
What did economics have to do with the slave trade being abolished?
By the early 18th century, the economic benefit of the slave trade had begun to slow in Britain. Keeping and maintaining slaves was far more expensive for plantation owners than paying workers a small wage. Countries such as Cuba and Brazil could soon offer goods such as sugar and tobacco at a cheaper rate than the West Indies (used slaves). The demand for slaves fell considerably.
What year was the SLAVE TRADE abolished?
1807
