The Impact of the Slave Trade on Britain

Flashcards covering the impact of the slave trade on Britain, including the development of the trade, conditions of slavery, and the triangular trade route.

When did British merchants begin their involvement in the slave trade?

British merchants started participating in the slave trade from the 1560s onwards.

How many British ships were involved in taking slaves to the Americas between 1690 and 1780?

Over 11,000 British ships transported slaves to the Americas.

Approximately how many Africans were transported across the Atlantic Ocean during the height of the slave trade in the 1700s?

An estimated six million Africans were taken to America and the Caribbean.

How did slave owners profit from the slave trade?

Owners forced slaves to work all their lives, without wages, and in great hardship.

What was the average life expectancy of sugar plantation slaves?

The average life expectancy was 26.

What is the 'slave triangle'?

A three-part trading journey involving the transportation of slaves to the Americas and West Indies.

How much profit could traders expect to earn on their investment in the slave trade?

Up to 800 per cent profit.

What goods did traders use to trade with African tribesmen in return for slaves?

Alcohol, guns, and cloth

What goods were slaves traded for in the Americas?

Sugar, cotton, or tobacco