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A Level Britain > Abolition of The Slave Trade > Flashcards

Abolition of The Slave Trade Flashcards

1
Q

When did Britain abolish the slave trade

A

1807

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2
Q

Trans Atlantic slave trade

A

The lucrative business for slave trading in which slaves would go Africa to America, raw materials would go america to Britain, Then manufactured goods would go Britain to Africa

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3
Q

Which two cities became very profitable from the slave trade

A

Bristol and Liverpool

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4
Q

How many Africans were shipped into slavery in the 1780s by the British

A

300,000

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5
Q

Humanitarianism

A

Concern for welfare of others manifested through actions

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6
Q

What is most commonly seen as the main cause of abolition

A

Growth of humanitarianism in Britain in the late 18th century

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7
Q

What raised concerns about human rights on a broader societal level, and introduced a culture of rational thinking and questioning absolutism

A

Enlightenment movement in 17th 18th century

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8
Q

How did the enlightenment movement affect slavery

A

Raised awareness to ideas of mens right to own another man, aswell as spread ideas about helping those less fortunate which spread to slavery

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9
Q

What was the first formation against the slave trade

A

Quakers organised a committee against the slave trade in 1783

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10
Q

What more prominent formation against the slave trade was formed in 1787

A

Society for effecting the abolition of the slave trade

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11
Q

Why did the Quakers oppose slavery

A

They believed everyone was equal before god and that god was inside all people, so harming a person would be like harming god

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12
Q

What did the Quakers do against slavery in 1784

A

10,000 copies of their anti-slave trade pamphlet was distributed among the general public and Many MPs

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13
Q

What are the Quakers credited with for abolition

A

They began a humanitarian movement for abolition out of altruism that wasn’t shared by society at the start, they raised a lot of the initial awareness to the cause

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14
Q

What fact displays how generally accepted slavery still was in Britain in the 1770s

A

Although slavery was abolished in Britain it was fashionable to have black servants in your home for rich people, 10,000 in London who were essentially slaves.

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15
Q

Why did Evangelists oppose Slavery

A

Believed in repentance an turning away from sin, they saw slavery as a sin society needed to turn away from

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16
Q

Who were the three influential evangelist individuals who were prominent in the slave trade

A

Granville Sharpe, Thomas Clarkson, William Wilberforce , did a lot of public speaking which was influenced by their religions idea of spreading the message

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17
Q

How did the Baptists help to abolish slavery

A

Believed in everyone being equal and a rejection of authority figures, so was an attractive religion for slaves to join

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18
Q

How did John Newton help to abolish slavery

A

He was a slave captain and investor, but his religion helped him to change his ways and become an abolitionist, influenced Wilberforce

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19
Q

What was the driving force behind the forming of the society for effecting abolition of the slave trade

A

religion

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20
Q

What was the society for effecting abolitions main aims

A

Apply political pressure and lobby parliament, raise public awareness with speeches and pamphlets

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21
Q

Which argument for abolition does the existence of the society give credence to the most

A

Humanitarian morality based arguments as the main cause for abolition

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22
Q

What idea did Historian Anstey put forward

A

The abolitionist and this society were leading a moral crusade which was going against a lucratively profitable business, so for abolition to be reached during this time the moral argument must have been incredibly strong

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23
Q

What happened in 1796 in the house of commons and why was this significant

A

Bill was almost passed to abolish all slavery, during a time when there was a hugely profitable sugar boom

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24
Q

Why was the humanitarian argument as the main cause for abolition popular

A

It allowed Britain to maintain some sense of goodness and decency among the atrocities committed by many British in the slave trade

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25
Q

Zong case when and what

A

1781 captain ordered 133 slaves to be thrown overboard when supplies were running low, case began as a legal one against them trying to claim insurance on the slaves but gained moral momentum, case went to court in 1783

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26
Q

What percentage of Britains annual income was dependent upon the slave trade in the 1780s

A

24%

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27
Q

What was the main opposition to the society for effecting the abolition

A

West India Lobby

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28
Q

West india Lobby

A

group of sugar plantation owners who relied on the slave trade, had many links to parliament and ruling class in Britain

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29
Q

How did Josiah Wedgewood help with abolition

A

He created political abolitionist propaganda with his iconic plaque of a slave reading ‘Am I not a Brother’

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30
Q

What drawing became very influential abolition propaganda

A

Cross section drawing of the slave ship Brookes

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31
Q

What do the propaganda images show

A

How the society managed to generate support for the moral arguments against slavery among society.

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32
Q

How many petitions were presented to parliament in 1792

A

519

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33
Q

in 1787 what percentage of Manchesters population signed abolition petitions

A

20%

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34
Q

Why did the humanitarian argument for abolition gain popularity

A

Majority of British people were religious and the abolition argument appealed to the individuals religious conscience to act morally.

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35
Q

When did the humanitarian movement lose some support

A

During times of war with France and the French Revolution the movement was suspected to be aligned with jacobinism which turned people away from the cause

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36
Q

How was the slave trade abolition eventually passed

A

Wilberforce re-intoduced his bill in 1804 with the support PM William Pitt, PM Grenville continued the support in 1806 and passed the bill a year later

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37
Q

What did William Wilberforce do between 1791 and 1799

A

presented an abolition bill every year

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38
Q

What did Historian Eric Williams criticise

A

Criticise the saintly image given to the abolitionist and their their moral incentive for abolition wasn’t the true cause, as surely this morality should’ve spread to British working conditions

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39
Q

What does Historian Eric Williams instead propose to be the main cause of abolition

A

Economic incentive as in the latter part of the century slave trade profits began to dwindle and industrialisation increased the preference for mechanised paid labour as this was more mutually economically beneficial which allowed for a climate where abolition could be heard

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40
Q

Mercantilism

A

Commercialism or belief in profitable trade

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41
Q

How does Eric Williams approach open himself up to criticism

A

He takes a highly critical approach against all the prior recognised causes of abolition which opens hi up to criticism

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42
Q

Who supported Eric Williams decline thesis

A

Drescher

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43
Q

How many slave trading voyages took place between 16th 19th century

A

35,000

44
Q

How did the slave trade improve infrastructure

A

Shipbuilding businesses grew greatly

45
Q

How much of European trade did Liverpool claim

A

3/7

46
Q

Why was the trans Atlantic slave trade particularly profitable for Britain

A

Gave Britain ready export markets to sell their high demand manufactured goods

47
Q

In the late 18th century and early 19th century what percentage of British textile exports went to Africa

A

87%

48
Q

Why was the slave trade so important for textile industry

A

Provided a market for this industry when Europe was blocked due to war, also provided a ready market for when industrialisation took hold

49
Q

What idea became popular in late 18th century which contributed to the decline in economic interest in slavery

A

Free trade ideology as Adam smith believed workers would be more productive and profitable if paid a very low wage rather than enslaved with no wage, slavery also had large enforcement costs.

50
Q

How did slave rebellions cause abolition

A

Growing number of slave rebellions was very costly for plantation owners causing the decline in economic interest in the slave trade

51
Q

what percentage of voyages would experience a slave revolt that would damage profits

A

1/10

52
Q

What is the alternative economic argument to the slave trade being in decline

A

It wasn’t in decline but the presence of a new industrialised free trade factory system was more economically attractive

53
Q

What is the example of mechanisation eradicating the need for slavery

A

1768 first steam engine used to power mill in Jamaica

54
Q

What was the average return on a slave voyage

A

20-50%

55
Q

What made racing finance for slave voyages easy

A

Many investment banks were eager to lend to slave voyages due to the large returns

56
Q

What was the financial issue with slave trading

A

Startup costs were huge in a ship, crew, supplies, weapons which made it a risky venture as traders stood to lose a lot

57
Q

What was the fitting cost for the slave ship the Ann in 1753 and then the profit

A

£3,153

£4,847

58
Q

What were common issues faced at sea which damaged the financial benefits of slave trading

A
  • Slave revolts
  • damaged or lost cargo in storm
  • disease
  • inadequate provisions
59
Q

Why did the financial risk of slavery drive investors and traders away

A

They sought more stable sources of income like buying a factory as the Industrial Revolution began to take hold

60
Q

By 1776 how much debt was owed by American planters to Glasgow merchants due to failed crops

A

£1.3million

61
Q

What did the price of a slave increase to in Africa in 1800

A

£25 but the price didn’t increase in the americas so the trade became less profitable

62
Q

What was Clarkson’s most influential essay and when was it written

A

1786 Essay on the slavery and commerce of the human species

63
Q

What was Thomas Clarkson’s main importance for abolition

A

His tremendous work rate at travelling the country educating the public about the horrors of the slave trade and writing countless books about it.

64
Q

Why was Thomas Clarkson less recognised

A

he wasn’t a higher class MP like Wilberforce who would get all the credit, he was a foot soldier.

65
Q

Why was Clarkson’s essay significant for abolition

A

It was read by any MPs including Wilberforce displaying a level of passion and detail which generated supported slaves, said to be the reason Wilberforce became the face of abolition in parliament, Clarkson helped secure parliamentary support

66
Q

How many copies of Clarkson’s essay were printed

A

10,000

67
Q

between 1787 and 1794 how many miles did Clarkson travel around Britain educating and collecting evidence on the slave trade

A

35,000 miles

68
Q

Why were Clarkson’s speeches particularly convincing

A

He showed people evidence of African peoples culture and skill to try and humanise the slaves

69
Q

What famous propaganda did Clarkson use and when

A

The cross section of the Brooke’s ship in 1787

70
Q

How many branches of the society did Clarkson help found

A

1200

71
Q

in 1790 how did Clarkson gain more inside information on the slave trade giving his movement humanitarian weight

A

He visited 317 ships interviewed 3000 sailors learning of slave poaching in Africa

72
Q

Why was Wilberforce significant

A

His adoption of the cause gave the movement a figurehead to rally behind

73
Q

When was wiberforce first abolition speech in parliament

A

1789

74
Q

Why has doubt been given to wilberforces significant

A

His bills were very poorly executed in parliament giving doubt ti his effectiveness at getting abolition, a better MP may have got abolition passed quicker

75
Q

Why was wilberfore so important for abolition following wars with France and threat of revolution

A

He was a conservative and part of the propertied ruling class, he still gave the movement some credit among the ruling classes even when revolutionary suspicions arise, he kept abolition respectable and politically stable

76
Q

Who was Granville Sharp

A

Lawyer who was chair of and helped form the society for effecting abolition, used his political skills and knowledge to help the abolition cause

77
Q

How was Granville Sharp influential in getting abolition

A
  • Saved many africans in London from being sent back to slavery
  • Involved in the zong ship case
  • Helped James Somerset a runaway slave to obtain freedom in Britain
78
Q

Why did Olaudah Equiano gain so much moral weight for abolition

A

He was a slave himself so speaking from experience gained a lot of sympathy from the British public

79
Q

What and when was Olaudah Equiano famous writing

A

1789 Interesting narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano

80
Q

What group did Olaudah Equiano join in 1787

A

Sons of Africa

81
Q

What was the sons of Africa

A

ex slaves who worked with British abolitionsits to raise awareness for the cause and lobby parliament

82
Q

Dolmen Act when and what

A

1788 regulated number of slaves allowed on ships

83
Q

How did Olaudah Equiano raise awareness for the respectability of slaves

A

He was educated and intellectual displaying to general British public that the slaves were normal people

84
Q

Who was the first slave to start writing books and calling for abolition

A

Ottabah Cuguano

85
Q

Who was James Ramsay

A

A navy ship doctor who saw the suffering on slave trips when treating dystentry he then became an anglican minister

86
Q

Why was James Ramsay so significant for abolition

A

He welcomed black and white people into his church on the plantation where he worked as a surgeon, when he returned to Britain in 1781 he wrote many anti-slavery essays and spread awareness for the terrible conditions for slaves

87
Q

Who was another influential MP in parliament who advocated for abolition writing poems denouncing the slave trade

A

William Roscoe

88
Q

How was Mary Birkett card important for abolition

A

Published an anti-slave trade poem in 1792 and realised the importance of urging women towards the sugar boycotts as they were the main food purchasers

89
Q

Which historian was most in favour of Clarkson

A

Walvin

90
Q

How did the American war of independence help the abolition movement in Britain

A

The war of independence was one in favour of liberty freedom and the rights of man against an oppressive ownership. This drew parallels with slavery in Britain and generated an intellectually based argument for abolition among the more radical in Britain

91
Q

What did Napoleon do in 1802

A

Overturned the decision to abolish slavery made by the revolutionary government

92
Q

Why was Napoleons reintroduction of slavery in 1802 significant for abolition

A

Britain and France were at war at this time so to oppose slavery was felt as a patriotic move by the general masses in Britain so it generated a lot of support which is part of the reason it was passed in 1807 during the napoleonic war

93
Q

What is the view of how significant napoleons reintroduction of slavery was for abolition

A

It didn’t transform public opinion as abolition support had been present for the past 20 years but it breathed new life to the cause garnering more conservative support it didn’t have prior

94
Q

Why was the war with revolutionary France in 1793 so damaging for the abolition movement

A

France abolished slavery under their principles of freedom and liberty, so inadvertently btisih abolition support became associated with radical and revolutionary France so lost much support in parliament and among the propertied ruling classes who feared revolution

95
Q

What acts did parliament put in place in the early 1790s to enforce against abolition

A
  • seditious meeting act
  • treason trials for radicals
96
Q

How did the threat of slave rebellions cause abolition

A

Britain in the late 18th century was in a state of political turmoil so the added threat of slave rebellions to handle piled on too much pressure, also incurred large costs

97
Q

When was the Haitian Revolution

A

1791

98
Q

What are the facts from the Haitian revolution

A
  • 1000 plantations burned down
  • 12,000 people killed
  • 2,000 Europeans killed
99
Q

How did the Haitian revolution affect abolition in Britain

A

Showed the power that a slave revolution could have at rising up and forming its own governing body, this sparked fear in Britain and loss of support for abolition as they didn’t want to spark any more discontent and upset the economy in British colonies

100
Q

Where did slave revolts begin inspired by Haiti and what did this mean for abolition

A

In British colonies of Grenada, St Vincent, St Lucia
—> caused less support for abolition as many thought abolitionists were pro slave revolts, PM William Pitt shifted his support against abolition

101
Q

What actions were made by British colony of Jamaica to try and stop the outbreak of slave revolts

A
  • Made conditions for slaves better by removing use of metal shackles and mutilation
  • 3000 troops brought in for protection
102
Q

Which British colony experienced a slave revolt in 1790

A

British Virgin Island

103
Q

How did the threat of slave rebellions cause abolition

A
  • High costs of enforcing against rising threat slave revolts made slavery less economically attractive
  • Fear of destruction of British economic structure in the colonies with slave rebellions
  • Slave revolts were becoming more common in the 1790s
104
Q

What is Hochschilds view on main reason for abolition

A

Humanitarian argument and role of individuals like Clarkson not Wilberforce

105
Q

What are all the factors that can be used for abolition of the slave trade

A
  • religion
  • Individuals
  • Wars/ political climate
  • slave rebellions
  • Economic
  • popular pressure and propaganda
  • Humanitarian campaigns

A Level Britain (5 decks)

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