Abolition of The Slave Trade Flashcards
When did Britain abolish the slave trade
1807
Trans Atlantic slave trade
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
Which two cities became very profitable from the slave trade
Bristol and Liverpool
How many Africans were shipped into slavery in the 1780s by the British
300,000
Humanitarianism
Concern for welfare of others manifested through actions
What is most commonly seen as the main cause of abolition
Growth of humanitarianism in Britain in the late 18th century
What raised concerns about human rights on a broader societal level, and introduced a culture of rational thinking and questioning absolutism
Enlightenment movement in 17th 18th century
How did the enlightenment movement affect slavery
Raised awareness to ideas of mens right to own another man, aswell as spread ideas about helping those less fortunate which spread to slavery
What was the first formation against the slave trade
Quakers organised a committee against the slave trade in 1783
What more prominent formation against the slave trade was formed in 1787
Society for effecting the abolition of the slave trade
Why did the Quakers oppose slavery
They believed everyone was equal before god and that god was inside all people, so harming a person would be like harming god
What did the Quakers do against slavery in 1784
10,000 copies of their anti-slave trade pamphlet was distributed among the general public and Many MPs
What are the Quakers credited with for abolition
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
What fact displays how generally accepted slavery still was in Britain in the 1770s
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.
Why did Evangelists oppose Slavery
Believed in repentance an turning away from sin, they saw slavery as a sin society needed to turn away from
Who were the three influential evangelist individuals who were prominent in the slave trade
Granville Sharpe, Thomas Clarkson, William Wilberforce , did a lot of public speaking which was influenced by their religions idea of spreading the message
How did the Baptists help to abolish slavery
Believed in everyone being equal and a rejection of authority figures, so was an attractive religion for slaves to join
How did John Newton help to abolish slavery
He was a slave captain and investor, but his religion helped him to change his ways and become an abolitionist, influenced Wilberforce
What was the driving force behind the forming of the society for effecting abolition of the slave trade
religion
What was the society for effecting abolitions main aims
Apply political pressure and lobby parliament, raise public awareness with speeches and pamphlets
Which argument for abolition does the existence of the society give credence to the most
Humanitarian morality based arguments as the main cause for abolition
What idea did Historian Anstey put forward
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
What happened in 1796 in the house of commons and why was this significant
Bill was almost passed to abolish all slavery, during a time when there was a hugely profitable sugar boom
Why was the humanitarian argument as the main cause for abolition popular
It allowed Britain to maintain some sense of goodness and decency among the atrocities committed by many British in the slave trade
Zong case when and what
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
What percentage of Britains annual income was dependent upon the slave trade in the 1780s
24%
What was the main opposition to the society for effecting the abolition
West India Lobby
West india Lobby
group of sugar plantation owners who relied on the slave trade, had many links to parliament and ruling class in Britain
How did Josiah Wedgewood help with abolition
He created political abolitionist propaganda with his iconic plaque of a slave reading ‘Am I not a Brother’
What drawing became very influential abolition propaganda
Cross section drawing of the slave ship Brookes
What do the propaganda images show
How the society managed to generate support for the moral arguments against slavery among society.
How many petitions were presented to parliament in 1792
519
in 1787 what percentage of Manchesters population signed abolition petitions
20%
Why did the humanitarian argument for abolition gain popularity
Majority of British people were religious and the abolition argument appealed to the individuals religious conscience to act morally.
When did the humanitarian movement lose some support
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
How was the slave trade abolition eventually passed
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
What did William Wilberforce do between 1791 and 1799
presented an abolition bill every year
What did Historian Eric Williams criticise
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
What does Historian Eric Williams instead propose to be the main cause of abolition
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
Mercantilism
Commercialism or belief in profitable trade
How does Eric Williams approach open himself up to criticism
He takes a highly critical approach against all the prior recognised causes of abolition which opens hi up to criticism
Who supported Eric Williams decline thesis
Drescher
How many slave trading voyages took place between 16th 19th century
35,000
How did the slave trade improve infrastructure
Shipbuilding businesses grew greatly
How much of European trade did Liverpool claim
3/7
Why was the trans Atlantic slave trade particularly profitable for Britain
Gave Britain ready export markets to sell their high demand manufactured goods
In the late 18th century and early 19th century what percentage of British textile exports went to Africa
87%
Why was the slave trade so important for textile industry
Provided a market for this industry when Europe was blocked due to war, also provided a ready market for when industrialisation took hold
What idea became popular in late 18th century which contributed to the decline in economic interest in slavery
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.
How did slave rebellions cause abolition
Growing number of slave rebellions was very costly for plantation owners causing the decline in economic interest in the slave trade
what percentage of voyages would experience a slave revolt that would damage profits
1/10
What is the alternative economic argument to the slave trade being in decline
It wasn’t in decline but the presence of a new industrialised free trade factory system was more economically attractive
What is the example of mechanisation eradicating the need for slavery
1768 first steam engine used to power mill in Jamaica
What was the average return on a slave voyage
20-50%
What made racing finance for slave voyages easy
Many investment banks were eager to lend to slave voyages due to the large returns
What was the financial issue with slave trading
Startup costs were huge in a ship, crew, supplies, weapons which made it a risky venture as traders stood to lose a lot
What was the fitting cost for the slave ship the Ann in 1753 and then the profit
£3,153
£4,847
What were common issues faced at sea which damaged the financial benefits of slave trading
- Slave revolts
- damaged or lost cargo in storm
- disease
- inadequate provisions
Why did the financial risk of slavery drive investors and traders away
They sought more stable sources of income like buying a factory as the Industrial Revolution began to take hold
By 1776 how much debt was owed by American planters to Glasgow merchants due to failed crops
£1.3million
What did the price of a slave increase to in Africa in 1800
£25 but the price didn’t increase in the americas so the trade became less profitable
What was Clarkson’s most influential essay and when was it written
1786 Essay on the slavery and commerce of the human species
What was Thomas Clarkson’s main importance for abolition
His tremendous work rate at travelling the country educating the public about the horrors of the slave trade and writing countless books about it.
Why was Thomas Clarkson less recognised
he wasn’t a higher class MP like Wilberforce who would get all the credit, he was a foot soldier.
Why was Clarkson’s essay significant for abolition
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
How many copies of Clarkson’s essay were printed
10,000
between 1787 and 1794 how many miles did Clarkson travel around Britain educating and collecting evidence on the slave trade
35,000 miles
Why were Clarkson’s speeches particularly convincing
He showed people evidence of African peoples culture and skill to try and humanise the slaves
What famous propaganda did Clarkson use and when
The cross section of the Brooke’s ship in 1787
How many branches of the society did Clarkson help found
1200
in 1790 how did Clarkson gain more inside information on the slave trade giving his movement humanitarian weight
He visited 317 ships interviewed 3000 sailors learning of slave poaching in Africa
Why was Wilberforce significant
His adoption of the cause gave the movement a figurehead to rally behind
When was wiberforce first abolition speech in parliament
1789
Why has doubt been given to wilberforces significant
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
Why was wilberfore so important for abolition following wars with France and threat of revolution
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
Who was Granville Sharp
Lawyer who was chair of and helped form the society for effecting abolition, used his political skills and knowledge to help the abolition cause
How was Granville Sharp influential in getting abolition
- 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
Why did Olaudah Equiano gain so much moral weight for abolition
He was a slave himself so speaking from experience gained a lot of sympathy from the British public
What and when was Olaudah Equiano famous writing
1789 Interesting narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano
What group did Olaudah Equiano join in 1787
Sons of Africa
What was the sons of Africa
ex slaves who worked with British abolitionsits to raise awareness for the cause and lobby parliament
Dolmen Act when and what
1788 regulated number of slaves allowed on ships
How did Olaudah Equiano raise awareness for the respectability of slaves
He was educated and intellectual displaying to general British public that the slaves were normal people
Who was the first slave to start writing books and calling for abolition
Ottabah Cuguano
Who was James Ramsay
A navy ship doctor who saw the suffering on slave trips when treating dystentry he then became an anglican minister
Why was James Ramsay so significant for abolition
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
Who was another influential MP in parliament who advocated for abolition writing poems denouncing the slave trade
William Roscoe
How was Mary Birkett card important for abolition
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
Which historian was most in favour of Clarkson
Walvin
How did the American war of independence help the abolition movement in Britain
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
What did Napoleon do in 1802
Overturned the decision to abolish slavery made by the revolutionary government
Why was Napoleons reintroduction of slavery in 1802 significant for abolition
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
What is the view of how significant napoleons reintroduction of slavery was for abolition
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
Why was the war with revolutionary France in 1793 so damaging for the abolition movement
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
What acts did parliament put in place in the early 1790s to enforce against abolition
- seditious meeting act
- treason trials for radicals
How did the threat of slave rebellions cause abolition
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
When was the Haitian Revolution
1791
What are the facts from the Haitian revolution
- 1000 plantations burned down
- 12,000 people killed
- 2,000 Europeans killed
How did the Haitian revolution affect abolition in Britain
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
Where did slave revolts begin inspired by Haiti and what did this mean for abolition
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
What actions were made by British colony of Jamaica to try and stop the outbreak of slave revolts
- Made conditions for slaves better by removing use of metal shackles and mutilation
- 3000 troops brought in for protection
Which British colony experienced a slave revolt in 1790
British Virgin Island
How did the threat of slave rebellions cause abolition
- 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
What is Hochschilds view on main reason for abolition
Humanitarian argument and role of individuals like Clarkson not Wilberforce
What are all the factors that can be used for abolition of the slave trade
- religion
- Individuals
- Wars/ political climate
- slave rebellions
- Economic
- popular pressure and propaganda
- Humanitarian campaigns
