9.1.3

Impact of the Slave Trade on Britain

Test yourself

Impact of Slavery on Britain

The Caribbean colonies were at the centre of the slave trade that brought Britain great wealth.

Illustrative background for Slaves in Britain Illustrative background for Slaves in Britain  ?? "content

Slaves in Britain

  • The slave trade allowed Britain to thrive.
  • British companies like the Royal African Company made money by transporting slaves from Africa to the Americas. The Company was granted a monopoly on the slave trade by Parliament in 1672.
  • Slavery increased the demand for certain metal goods, such as guns and chains, which were produced in England. This created thousands of jobs.
  • The goods that were produced by slave factories and slave plantations meant that people in Britain and elsewhere could consume goods more cheaply as instead of paying people wages, slaves could be used.
Illustrative background for InvestmentIllustrative background for Investment ?? "content

Investment

  • There was a growth in shipping because goods and slaves were transported between Britain, West Africa and the Caribbean.
  • Profits from the trade allowed for growing investment in British industry, which laid the foundations for the Industrial Revolution from the late 1700s.
Illustrative background for Public opinion Illustrative background for Public opinion  ?? "content

Public opinion

  • But towards the end of the 1700s, public opinion in Britain about slavery began to change as people began to vocally question the morality of enslaving people.
  • An ‘abolition’ movement emerged, which campaigned to abolish the slave trade.
  • In Parliament, a politician called William Wilberforce led the campaign to abolish slavery, although he was hugely influenced by Olaudah Equiano, Thomas Clarkson, and Granville Sharp.
Illustrative background for The abolition of the slave trade & slaveryIllustrative background for The abolition of the slave trade & slavery ?? "content

The abolition of the slave trade & slavery

  • The fight for abolition was long and difficult because many British people still did not believe in freedom for African slaves.
  • In 1807, the British government ruled for an end to Britain’s involvement in the slave trade, but slavery was not banned until 1833.
  • In 1833, the Slavery Abolition Act banned slavery in the British Empire. The government effectively bought the freedom of slaves, paying slave owners to free their slaves. The slaves themselves received no compensation or financial support.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium