What were the key features of the slave trade?

Learning objective – to understand how the slave trade worked and its key components.

I can describe the key features of the slave trade.

Level 4

I can explain the key features of the slave trade and how they worked.

Level 5

I can explain and begin to understand why the slave trade worked.

Level 6

Starter

What kind of questions would come to your mind if you saw this slogan in a shop in Marlowes?

Reason one - The British Empire

The British Empire grew throughout the 18th and 19th centuries covering almost a quarter of the globe and ruling 370 million

people. The empire provided Britain with a hue source of trade …. this included trading people.

Reason two – Boom towns

The slave trade made certain areas of Britain extremely rich – particularly the ports of Bristol and Liverpool. Slave traders who

lived in these ports became extremely rich and powerful in those cities.

Slave trade in action – the triangular trade

Slave trade in action – the middle passageThe Middle Passage involved the transportation of slaves

from West Africa to the Caribbean. Slaves were

crammed in the hold of a ship in horrific, dirty conditions.

Many died.

Slave trade in action – the slave auction

Once in the West Indies, slaves were taken to an auction and sold. Those who were too weak were left to die at the

quayside. Those that were healthy were sold for huge profits to work in backbreaking conditions on cotton

plantations.

Slave trade in action – slave conditions

Growing opposition to the slave trade

William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson were two key members of the Anti-Slavery Campaign in Britain. While

Clarkson collected extensive evidence against slavery, Wilberforce, an MP, fought in Parliament for support to

abolish slavery.

In exactly 50 words – describe how the triangular trade worked.

Slave trade concept map

A concept map is a broad overview of a topic and links as many features and aspects together. Use the diagram and the example on the worksheet to help you.

Subheading – My Brain

Draw an outline of your brain.

Fill your drawn brain with all the things you have learnt in this lesson. This can be in the form of key words, drawings, bullet points, lists – anything you like so long as it summarises your learning and that others can understand it.

Plenary – My Brain