Industrial Era Migration - Overview Flashcards
What characterized the triangular trade involving enslaved Africans in 1750?
The triangular trade involved the transportation of enslaved Africans to Caribbean and North American plantations, yielding significant profits for British businesses and banks.
How did Britain’s black population evolve during this period?
Britain’s black population expanded, comprising both enslaved individuals serving their owners and free black individuals engaged in various occupations such as shopkeeping, pub management, acting, music, and military service.
What factors contributed to the growth of opposition against slavery in Britain?
Opposition to slavery surged due to the publication of autobiographies by former enslaved individuals, revealing human rights abuses, as well as slave uprisings in Caribbean plantations. This opposition evolved into a mass movement, with involvement from British people of African descent.
When did Parliament abolish the slave trade, and when was enslavement officially terminated in the British Empire?
Parliament abolished the slave trade in 1807, and the Slavery Abolition Act officially ended enslavement in the British Empire in 1833, following numerous slave rebellions in the Caribbean.
What challenges persisted after emancipation, and how did the British government compensate slave owners?
Emancipation did not immediately grant freedom, as former enslaved individuals were still bound to their owners as apprentices. Meanwhile, slave owners received substantial financial compensation from the British government during the 1830s for their “lost property,” which was a provision of the Slavery Abolition Act.
What lasting impact did the trade in enslaved Africans have on racial perceptions?
The trade left a legacy of racist ideologies, promoting ideas of racial superiority and inferiority based on skin colour. These beliefs were used to justify slavery, control plantations, and create divisions between black and white labourers.
What formed the foundation of Britain’s wealth, and how did its empire contribute to this?
Britain’s wealth was primarily built upon trade, with its expanding empire providing access to inexpensive raw materials and labor. Goods from the Americas, Africa, and Asia were transported to Britain via merchant ships.
How did the East India Company influence trade between Asia and Europe?
After 1757, the East India Company gained control over much of India, allowing its shipping fleet to dominate trade routes between Asia and Europe. These routes facilitated the transportation of tea, spices, porcelain, and textiles from China, India, and Arabia to Britain.
Who comprised a significant portion of the crews on merchant sailing ships, especially during times of war?
“Coloured seamen,” as they were described at the time, formed a substantial part of many crews on merchant sailing ships. During times of war, such as the Napoleonic Wars, white sailors drafted into the Royal Navy were replaced by Asian, African, and West Indian men, whose labor was vital despite often enduring harsh conditions.
What role did steamers play in Britain’s trade during the late 19th century?
Steamers, during the peak of the industrial age, transported goods like coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, spices, tobacco, timber, and wines from various parts of the world to British ports. They also facilitated the export of manufactured products such as textiles, machinery, and household goods to overseas markets.
How did the hiring of overseas seamen contribute to the merchant shipping industry?
Seamen from overseas were hired in large numbers and often formed the majority of crews on many ships. Their contribution was essential to the functioning of the merchant shipping industry, facilitating the transportation of goods across the globe.
How did the Industrial Revolution contribute to Britain’s rise as a superpower?
The Industrial Revolution in Britain led to immense wealth and power, establishing it as the world’s superpower. This was facilitated by advancements in shipping routes and the establishment of the factory system.
What drove the mass migration of people during the Industrial Revolution, and where did they primarily settle?
Poverty pushed families from the English, Scottish, Welsh, and Irish countryside to seek work in growing cities like Manchester, leading to mass internal migration. Additionally, migration from other parts of Europe, notably Italy, also occurred. These migrants primarily settled in urban areas where factory jobs were abundant.
How did the industrial workforce respond to working conditions, and what movements emerged?
The industrial workforce organized themselves into trade unions and a labor movement, advocating for social and political change. Migrant workers often led demands for voting rights, higher wages, and improved living conditions.
What opportunities did industrial Britain offer for entrepreneurs?
The growing urban population created opportunities for setting up small businesses, particularly in popular items such as street food, clothing, and household goods. Britain also attracted entrepreneurs from overseas who saw potential for their business ideas in Europe’s most technologically advanced country.
