Impact of the Slave Trade
History: KS3, topic 6.3.2
Impact of the Slave Trade
Britain lost control of her North American colonies, but still controlled important colonies in the Caribbean. These colonies were at the centre of the slave trade which brought Britain great wealth.
Slaves in Britain
- The slave trade allowed Britain to thrive.
- Slavery increased the demand for certain metal goods, such as guns and chains, which were produced in England. This created thousands of jobs.
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 of the Industrial Revolution from the late 1700s.
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.
Abolition
- 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.
Test yourself on Impact of the Slave Trade
Which destination was NOT part of the triangular trade?
In which year did the British government rule for an end to Britain’s involvement in the slave trade?