Economic Factors and Slave Resistance

This page continues the discussion of factors that contributed to the abolition of slavery, focusing on economic considerations and instances of slave resistance.

Economic Factors

The abolition of slavery was influenced by various economic factors:

• The industrial revolution was changing the nature of labor and production
• Some argued that free labor could be more productive and cost-effective than slave labor
• The profitability of sugar plantations was declining, reducing the economic incentive for slavery

Definition: Industrial Revolution - A period of rapid industrialization and technological advancement that began in Britain in the late 18th century.

Slave Resistance and Rebellions

Slave resistance played a crucial role in challenging the institution of slavery:

• The Maroon slaves in Jamaica established independent communities in the mountains
• Their successful evasion of capture forced plantation owners to negotiate, fearing the spread of rebellion
• The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) was a significant blow to the slave system

Highlight: The Haitian Revolution resulted in the establishment of Haiti as the first independent black republic in the world.

Impact of the French Revolution

The ideals of the French Revolution (1789-1799) had far-reaching effects:

• Concepts of equality and human rights spread across Europe and the Americas
• These ideas influenced both slave rebellions and abolitionist movements

Continuing Opposition to Abolition

Despite growing support for abolition, there remained strong opposition:

• Many MPs and businessmen profited from the slave trade
• They resisted losing their source of cheap labor
• Racist propaganda was created to justify the continuation of slavery

Quote: Some opponents argued it was the "white man's burden" to keep slaves in bondage, reflecting deeply ingrained racist attitudes.

Legacy of Abolition

The abolition of slavery was a gradual process with lasting impacts:

• It marked a significant shift in moral and economic thinking
• The fight against slavery laid the groundwork for future human rights movements
• However, the effects of slavery continued to influence society long after its legal abolition

This page emphasizes that the abolition of slavery was the result of a complex interplay of economic, ideological, and social factors, including the resistance of enslaved people themselves.

The Transatlantic Slave Trade and Abolition Efforts

The Transatlantic Slave Trade was a dark period in history, characterized by the forced transportation of African people to the Americas for labor. This page provides an overview of the trade's conditions and the beginnings of abolition efforts.

British Involvement in the Slave Trade

The Transatlantic slave trade began under the reign of Elizabeth I and grew significantly as the British Empire expanded. Cities like Bristol, Liverpool, and Glasgow prospered from the trade, with many grand buildings constructed using profits from slavery. Even inland cities like Birmingham benefited indirectly by manufacturing items like chains used to bind slaves.

Conditions on Slave Ships

The journey across the Atlantic, known as the Middle Passage, was notoriously brutal:

• Men were packed tightly below deck, secured by leg irons
• Women and children were kept separately, often on deck, exposing them to abuse
• The air was foul, and seasickness was common
• Disease was rampant due to poor sanitation and overcrowding

Highlight: Captives endured these horrific conditions for about two months or longer.

Conditions on Plantations

Upon arrival in the Americas, slaves faced further hardships:

• They were auctioned off like animals
• Life on plantations involved back-breaking labor
• Slaves had no legal rights and a life expectancy of just 27 years
• Escape attempts were harshly punished

Growing Opposition to Slavery

As time passed, arguments against slavery began to emerge:

• Factory conditions in Britain were compared to plantation conditions
• Religious figures argued that slavery was unchristian
• William Wilberforce founded the Anti-Slavery Society

Vocabulary: Abolitionists - People who worked to end slavery and the slave trade.

These early efforts laid the groundwork for the abolitionist movement that would gain momentum in the following years.