Summary: The Triangular Slave Trade

The Slave trade and its abolition

Slavery which began in the 17th century and lasted until the 19th century it was all about making money. In the quest to achieve making the most amount of profit, Britain came up with ways to involve other countries in a trade where each country involved benefited somehow. This is when the triangular slave trade evolved. At this point in time, Britain had a very high demand for sugar; everyone wanted this new, sweet tasting food. So Britain’s high demand for sugar linked in with the triangular slave trade. The trade started off in Britain where goods such as: sugar and rum were dropped off via a boat. Then the boat would sail to Africa, to collect slaves that would have been captured by African tribes.
Britain gains also from this because the ship will always be full and always have something to profit from.
The slaves that were sold at auction had a very uncomfortable experience. Before the auction the slaves would have been put in a pen, and soaked in grease or tar to make them appear healthier. Then they were put on a stand for all to see whilst the bidders prodded them and inspected them, making sure they were adequate enough. The Slaves were hungry, thirsty, and tired from the 2 month voyage. They were terrified and spilt from their families. The African slave also wouldn’t have spoken the English language, so couldn’t understand what was going on and why there was so much noise.
Slaves working on the sugar plantations were spilt into 3 different groups called gangs; the first gang consisted of the healthiest and strongest male and females. Before crop time, to clear, hole and paint the ground. Cut canes, feed the mills and manufacture the sugar. The second consisted of young boys, girls and pregnant women who would be made to weed between the canes. The third, young children, old women, where expected collect green food for the pigs and sheep and also to
He also involved himself in trying to correct other social injustices. He didn’t abolish slavery but did start the campaign. His interest in slavery began in 1765 after he befriended Jonathan Strong, a slave who had been badly beaten by his master. When Strong's former owner attempted to sell him back into slavery in the Caribbean, Sharp took a case and Strong was freed. Sharp then devoted his time to forcing a legal ruling on the question of whether a slave could be compelled to leave Britain. They issued a new law which reluctantly concluded that slave owners could not legally force slaves to return to the colonies once they were in Britain. This was regarded by many as effectively abolishing slavery within Britain. But I believe that you can’t pinpoint one reason that abolished slavery. That there were many triggers, rather than one cause and effect.
The abolitionist Thomas Clarkson had an enormous influence on William Wilberforce. He and others were campaigning for an end to the trade in which British ships were carrying black slaves from Africa, in terrible conditions, to the West Indies as goods to be bought and sold. The campaign was supported by many. They raised public awareness of their cause with petitions. In 1807, the slave trade was finally abolished, but this did not free those who were already slaves. It was not until 1833 that an act was passed giving freedom to all