Abolition of Slave Trade - 200 year anniversary

[speedymama]

At the discussion group I attend, I have been asked to do a talk on the slave trade. As it is a very broad subject, I have focused on the British trade in slaves to the West Indies as that is where my family are from. The Abolition of the Slave trade bill was established in 1807 but slaves were not emancipated until 1833.

During the course of my research, I kept wondering why I had not been taught anything at all about this in school (70s) and was wondering if they now touch on this subject, especially, as much of Britain's wealth was derived from this evil trade.

Are schools now teaching kids about this era in British history or is it still ignored? Also, are you aware of any events to mark the Abolition of the slave trade?

I wasn't taught about it in school iirc but there are some fascinating and very shaming exhibitions on the subject in Bristol, which was a major slave trading centre. It's making my hair prickle just typing that. I think Bristol acknowledges it's shameful past well.

its shameful past NOT it's, sorry distracted by dd!

in fact major exhibition this year

Bristol and Livepool were major slave trading ports. Thomas Clarkson, one of the campaigners at the vanguard calling for abolition, use to visit these ports to collect evidence which he presented at meetings. Among the artefacts that he collected were shackles, thumb screws and mouthopeners.

Carrying out this research has been quite sobering and provides insight into how humans can behave in the most depraved way towards another.

Speedymama - yes - lots going on re abolition of slave trade AND stuff on current slave trade and how to campaign - don't have details to hand and have to get ds1 off to rugby (1/2 term here) but will post later.

We are constantly reminded about the Jewish Holocaust and rightly so. Is it not time that something similar was done to remember the 15 million Africans that were transported to the New World as free labour for the Europeans? (remember that this figure does not include those who died on the passage). Doing this research, I got the impression that Europe is suffering collective amnmesia on this topic. Also, I was dismayed at the role of the West African leaders who colluded with the Europeans on this trade. However, what choice did they have I wonder? Collude or become slaves themselves.

During the eighteenth century when the slave trade accounted for the transport of a staggering 6 million Africans, Britain was the worst transgressor - responsible for almost 2.5 million. (A fact often forgotten by those who regularly cite Britain's prime role in the abolition of the slave trade.) It was also interesting to read it was events like the French Revolution that contributed to the changing environment that led to the abolition of slavery.

Britain's wealth was built on the lives of these people and I believe that this should not be hidden or blotted out from its history.

I think it is due to be incorporated into the latest version of the national curriculum, rightfully so too. It certainly was not taught when I was at school. I picked more up from teenage novels like The Witch of Blackbird Pond and Sophia Scrooby Preserved, to be honest.
Our diocese is organising a walk as part of the C of E general commemorations of this anniversary, as William Wilberforce's parish is in Southwark

I learnt about the slave trade at school. Remember those horrific diagrams of the way slaves were crowded into ships. And we studied Turner's painting of that appalling scene where a captain threw manacled slaves alive into shark infested waters because the insurance claim was worth more than their lives.

Britain did indeed play a major role in the slave trade but the other European empires were equally culpable. As were the Arab slave traders. IIRC the West African leaders who traded slaves came from a culture where slavery was acceptable - it was just not on such an industrialised scale.

We should honour the memory of those, black and white, who fought for abolition. In the UK, in Europe and much later in the US.

And, more importantly, we should remember that slavery still exists today. Maybe the anniversary of abolition should be celebrated by working to abolish modern slavery - people trafficking and slave servants, for instance.

I think we should also remember the legacy of the slave trade. People like me are not able to trace our distant ancestors because we have no idea who they are, other than that they probably originated in West Africa.

Hi

I am off next month to an info evening organised by Tearfund and the Evangelical Alliance both celebrating/commemorating Wilberforce et al but also looking at the slave trades that persist today and what action we can be involved in to end it. Links in later with the G8 in Germany, taking the make poverty history message forward.

Heaps of info here both on the historical events leading up to abolition, the key players etc but where slavery still goes on today.

HTH

Thanks Hannahunt, that is really helpful. My presentation went so well that I have been asked to do another one on the modern slave trade so your link is an invaluable resource.

I'm really humbled and encouraged by this small group at work who really care about such matters and feel motivated to do something.

I've just ordered the resource pack for Freedom Day. This has been such an enlightening experience for me and I'm so grateful that I took up the challenge that the work chaplain presented to find out more about this topic.

Thanks again Hannahunt

No worries - really glad to be able to share this sort of thing. Big photographic exhibition on modern slave trade run by Amnesty opens at St Paul's this week. Hope it all goes well for you SM.

FioFio, do you mean Windrush?

Thanks for the compliment. I was surprised at how well the talk went. The audience was white, middleclass, degree types (it's work based) and they all admitted that they knew nothing about slavery other than Roots (lol).

They also wanted to know more about me, my family's history and how far back I could trace my ancestors on the African side. Their genuine interest has really touched me.