Slave Trade

1. Slave Trade

2. Triangular Trade The potential wealth to be made from the triangular trade between Europe, Africa, and the Americans came from the difference in demand.

4. Stop #1 Bristol, Britain At first British traded with Africa for gold, ivory, and spices. After awhile they received these luxuries from their colonies in China/India.

5. Before 1698 the Royal African Company, a trading company base in London, had control (a monopoly) in Britain on all trade with Africa. With this monopoly, only ships owned by the Company could trade for gold, ivory, wood, dye, spices and slaves. Any other companies or merchants trading with Africa would have been acting illegally. With their international trade contacts, Bristol merchants were well-placed to enter the African trade. We do not know exactly when Bristol ships first entered the trade in African slaves, but evidence suggests that Bristol ships first entered the trade in African slaves, but evidence suggests that Bristol was illegally trading to Africa for slaves at least as early at the 1670s. Bristol’s merchants were willing to risk the penalties of being caught because of the profits to be made. If caught they might lose their ship and cargo. In 1698, Bristol’s first slave ship, called the Beginnings and owned by Stephen Baker, sailed from Bristol to the African coast. The captain purchased a number of enslaved Africans, and delivered the to the island of Jamaica, in the Caribbean. There they were sold and put to work on the plantations

6. Outward Passage (Europe to Africa) Cargo- Pewter, glass beads, guns, and manufactured goods Brits were hoping to get raw materials and luxury items But Africa didn’t have any raw materials that they needed or wanted

7. Stop #2-Africa Europeans wanted cheap labour African kings and merchants captured slaves Sold at auctions as “cattle” like property or animals Slaves were loaded onto crowded boats for long journeys across the ocean

8. Middle Passage (Africa to West Indies) Cargo-African Slaves Due to conditions often ½ died to the West Indies

9. Stop #3-West Indies/Caribbean Europeans “discovered” the Caribbean & the “New World” when Columbus landed in the Bahamas (1492) Europeans began settling the islands-farming, growing crops (for food, then luxury crops to be sold) Local people were made to work…but quickly died out due to new diseases

11. Life in the West Indies Enslaved Africans needed a period of adjustment 1/3 died within 3 years Treatment and punishment was brutal Cheaper to work a slave to death and import new ones than to look after those already on the plantation

12. Europeans now had plantations…but no workers Brought workers from home but wasn’t enough (New Orleans & Irish workers) Soon the demand for slaves began to increase 1643-18,600 white farmers & families to 6, 400 African slaves 1724- 18, 300 white farmers & families to 55, 206 African slaves

14. Return Passage (West Indies to Britain) Cargo-cotton, sugar, rum, tobacco Cargo had been produce by the slaves on the plantations Brought back to Bristol to be processed in factories, then sold in shops

15. Back in England-Ports Taxes were payable on the cargo Busy with commerce Early 18th century, a slaving voyage might cost about 4,000 pounds (about 200, 000 pounds today) Investors might make up to 8, 000 (100% profit), which is about 400, 000 pounds today= 734,372 Canadian dollars