England S Terrible Trade

Name ______Core ______Date ______England’s Terrible Trade came at a terrible price. Untold numbers of Africans died by disease, shipwreck, and mistreatment. During weeks-long voyages of slave ships, captives were forced into extremely confined spaces, even if they became ill. For over a century, slave traders and those who supported the slave trade turned a blind eye to the mistreatment of those in bondage. They cited the prevailing belief that slaves were not humans, but property. In England, it was not difficult to ignore the horrors of the slave trade, since most slaves sailed directly from Africa to the New World. Even some of the English

LIVERPOOL, England Most people associate the cities that profited from slavery saw little of the trade at Atlantic slave trade with Africa and the Americas. In close quarters. Although slavery did exist in England, the truth, England also played a significant role in slavery's vast majority of slaves were in the colonies. There, the terrible history, aiding in the transport and trade of plantation system demanded a tremendous work force. In thousands of African slaves. the important slave trade city of Liverpool, England, for England began trading slaves in the 17th century. example, only 11 slaves are known to have been held. Soon, it became a major player in the European slave Over time, however, stories of the slaves' market. It engaged in what was known as "triangular mistreatment circulated throughout Britain. These stories trade," a profitable business involving resources from fueled the zeal of abolitionists, who considered slavery three continents. First, the traders would travel to Africa, cruel and unjust, and who advocated an end to the slave bringing with them cotton and sugar from the New World trade and slavery itself. In 1787, the ardent English colonies and manufactured goods from England. They abolitionist Thomas Clarkson visited Liverpool. He would then exchange these goods for slaves, who would collected appalling stories from sailors about the brutal be transported to the British colonies in the Western treatment of slaves. Clarkson purchased tools of the slave Hemisphere. There, the slave traders would receive more trade, including chains, handcuffs, and iron collars, so cotton, sugar, and other raw materials. They could then that he could educate the public about the horrors of the sell these items or bring them to Africa to barter for more practice. slaves. Some abolitionists came to the cause under The slave trade brought enormous wealth to the unlikely circumstances. Abolitionist John Newton, for many families that were involved and ultimately example, had himself been a slave trader. While serving contributed to England's growth. This growth, however, as the captain of a slave ship, he began to feel sympathy for his captives. Newton later wrote the hymn "Amazing Grace," as well as an abolitionist tract called "African names of slave traders—unbeknownst to the majority of Slave Trade." the city's residents. Most notably, Penny Lane, which In 1807, England abolished the slave trade. gained fame after it became the subject of a Beatles tune, English citizens who already owned slaves, however, was named after slave trader James Penny. Some of the were permitted to retain them. It would be another 26 city's black historians are urging officials to further years, however, before the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 acknowledge Liverpool's role in slavery. That process has gave all slaves in the British Empire their freedom. already begun. In 1999, the city council formally Today, the legacy of slavery is still evident in apologized, expressing "shame and remorse for the city's some English cities. In Liverpool, many streets bear the role in this trade in human misery." Dictionary abolitionist (noun) a person who supported outlawing slavery appalling (adjective) causing dismay or horror legacy (noun) something handed down to a new generation colony (noun) a land ruled by another country plantation (noun) a large farm where plants are grown slavery (noun) when people are made to work for no money

Multiple Choice: Circle the letter of the choice the best completes the statement. (2 points each) 1. The best alternate headline for this article would be C. Describe the role that England played in ______. the European slave trade A. England's Part in the History of Slavery D. Explain how slave traders such as John B. England's Abolitionists Made History Newton became abolitionists C. The Creation of "Amazing Grace" 6. Which question is not answered by the article? D. The Memory of Slavery in Liverpool A. Which act gave all slaves in the British 2. Which of these is a statement of opinion? Empire their freedom? A. The Liverpool city council formally B. What have officials done to acknowledge apologized for its part in slavery in 1999. Liverpool's role in slavery? B. The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 gave C. Why did slave trader John Newton decide slaves in the British Empire their freedom. to become an abolitionist? C. Abolitionist Thomas Clarkson purchased D. When was the practice of slavery tools of the slave trade to educate the public. abolished in the United States? D. Officials would be wise to further 7. The article states: That process has already begun. In acknowledge Liverpool's role in slavery. 1999, the city council formally apologized. Its leaders 3. Which is the closest antonym for the word ardent? expressed "shame and remorse for the city's role in A. Flattering this trade in human misery." Which would be the B. Unpleasant closest synonym for the word formally? C. Fierce A. Dishonestly D. Unenthusiastic B. Casually 4. This article would be most useful as a source for a C. Officially student research project on ______. D. Enthusiastically A. Africa's role in the slave trade 8. Which of these is most important to include in a B. The European slave trade summary of this article? C. The U.S. slave trade A. England was a major player in the D. Liverpool's slave trade European slave trade. 5. The author probably wrote this article in order to B. In Liverpool, England, only 11 slaves are ______. known to have been held captive. A. Argue that Liverpool officials should do C. Many people are familiar with Penny Lane more to acknowledge the city's role in slavery's because it was the subject of a song. history D. A former slave trader wrote the hymn B. Detail why it is important to collect stories "Amazing Grace." and educate the public on the horrors of slavery Opinion Question: Now that you have read the article, indicate whether you agree or disagree with this statement. Which is more surprising? 1) England's 1807 law stopped the slave trade. But people who already owned slaves could keep them. 2) The slave trade in England went on for 200 years. 3) Some slave traders became abolitionists.

Thought Question: Explain why it is important for students to study the history of the slave trade. Use information from the article, as well as your own ideas, in your response. (5 points)

Math- In 1833, the Slavery Abolition Act said that all slaves in England and its colonies were free. In 1999, the city of Liverpool said it was sorry for taking part in the slave trade of the 1600s. How many years passed between 1833 and 1999?