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How significant was the Atlantic Slave Trade in stimulating economic growth in Britain?
The Atlantic slave trade, known as the ‘triangular trade’ was a voyage that European ships took to exchange manufactured goods for slaves In Africa and those slaves were then taken to the Americas and were traded for goods such as sugar, cotton, tobacco and other goods. Between 1660-1807 millions of Africans were brought to the Americas under Britain’s authority. The Atlantic Slave Trade significantly stimulated economic growth in Britain in many ways, one being that Britain was the foremost European country engaged in the slave trade. Sugar, tobacco and other goods were hot commodities and Britain was a supplier for this good in the West Indies. In order to supply others with this commodity, Britain needed more workers working on plantation, which is why Britain bought slaves from Africa. Countless people in Britain profited from the Atlantic slave trade making it possible for the city to flourish, building mansions, banks and industries. Historians argue over the specific effects that the Atlantic slave trade had on the economy but despite their opinions, it is clear that the slave trade played a major role in the economical development of Britain. The Atlantic slave trade began with the exploration of the English to the New World in the 17th century. “ Textiles, beads, firearms and metal ware were shipped to West Africa and bartered or sold for Africans drawn from various tribes in the interior” (Morgan, 2000). Merchants would invest money in these items for a long voyage across the Atlantic in exchange for slaves. The slaves coming from Africa were placed on ships, often packed into the ships tightly, chained down and were exploited in human trafficking. Slaves were often at risks of catching many diseases and some of them died on the ships while sailing through the Atlantic. In Africa, people were taxed rather then land and as a result of this slavery and slave
The Atlantic slave trade, known as the ‘triangular trade’ was a voyage that European ships took to exchange manufactured goods for slaves In Africa and those slaves were then taken to the Americas and were traded for goods such as sugar, cotton, tobacco and other goods. Between 1660-1807 millions of Africans were brought to the Americas under Britain’s authority. The Atlantic Slave Trade significantly stimulated economic growth in Britain in many ways, one being that Britain was the foremost European country engaged in the slave trade. Sugar, tobacco and other goods were hot commodities and Britain was a supplier for this good in the West Indies. In order to supply others with this commodity, Britain needed more workers working on plantation, which is why Britain bought slaves from Africa. Countless people in Britain profited from the Atlantic slave trade making it possible for the city to flourish, building mansions, banks and industries. Historians argue over the specific effects that the Atlantic slave trade had on the economy but despite their opinions, it is clear that the slave trade played a major role in the economical development of Britain. The Atlantic slave trade began with the exploration of the English to the New World in the 17th century. “ Textiles, beads, firearms and metal ware were shipped to West Africa and bartered or sold for Africans drawn from various tribes in the interior” (Morgan, 2000). Merchants would invest money in these items for a long voyage across the Atlantic in exchange for slaves. The slaves coming from Africa were placed on ships, often packed into the ships tightly, chained down and were exploited in human trafficking. Slaves were often at risks of catching many diseases and some of them died on the ships while sailing through the Atlantic. In Africa, people were taxed rather then land and as a result of this slavery and slave
Bibliography: Blackburn, R. (2011, February 17). Enslavement and Industrialisation. Retrieved December 1, 2012, from BBC History: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/abolition/industrialisation_article_01.shtml Calgary, T. U. (1997). The European Voyage of Exploration. Retrieved December 1, 2012, from Ucalgary.ca: http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/eurvoya/Trade.html Morgan, K. (2000). Slavery, Atlantic Trade and the British Economy, 1600-1800. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. http://old.antislavery.org/breakingthesilence/index.shtml