Africa and the transatlantic slave trade

Arm ring trade token, The , Barbados penny, TheObject University title of Manchester GalleryObject title

Blackamoor, and The Slave, ArchiveObject Service title People’s History Museum Questions Manilla, 1700s Slave Trade, 1791 West African drum, 1898 The Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester The , The University of Manchester The Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester 1 Why did Europeans enslave Africans to work Manillas were traditional African The trade was described as George Morland was an English This painting was made as a piece This drum was collected in 1898 The drum is made with a piece horseshoe shaped bracelets triangular: ships sailed full of artist who did two paintings known of propaganda. It is not based in Ilorin, Nigeria. It was given to of manufactured cotton fabric, on plantations? made of metals such as iron, ‘exchange’ goods such as manillas, as ‘Slave Trade’ and ‘African on actual events, but represents Salford Museum and was described probably made in Britain, and bronze, copper and very rarely metals, clothing, guns and alcohol Hospitality’. He was inspired by a dramatisation of selling enslaved as ‘both rare and special and possibly in Manchester. 2 How did they justify this? gold. Decorative manillas were from Britain to Africa. Enslaved a friend’s poem to paint images Africans. European slave traders very difficult to get hold of’. The fact that British goods worn to show wealth and status Africans were transported across of . The movement to end capture an African man, and Drums were a very important part became integral parts of African 3 What was life like in Africa? in Africa. the Atlantic to the Americas. The raw slavery started in Britain in the 1790s. a woman is led to a boat where of musical traditions in Africa and objects shows how complex materials enslaved Africans grew on there is a person weeping. The Europeans used them as a form This print was a reproduction of continued to be used by enslaved the transatlantic slave trade was 4 What effect would losing so many people plantations such as sugar, tobacco African trader under the tree, of currency in west Africa to buy Morland’s painting made to help Africans on plantations in the between Britain and west Africa. and cotton were brought back to negotiating with the ’s have on Africa? and enslave African people. raise awareness of slavery and Caribbean and the Americas. Britain where they were processed. captain, looks on. Cotton goods produced in They manufactured them in the need for abolition. It was They were used in music, dance Manchester were in demand in 5 Why was the transatlantic slave trade so profitable Britain, especially around Bristol Historians estimate that at least published in Paris in 1794, at the The dog used to keep enslaved and religious ceremonies as well west Africa during the 1700s and for Britain? and Birmingham, based on African 12 million Africans were removed height of the French Revolution. Africans under control is in contrast as to send messages. 1800s where they were traded for designs. Different styles and metals by force during the transatlantic The French abolished slavery in to the chained people. The animal Enslaved Africans used drum people through African middlemen. 6 How did Africans help to enslave their had different values. One source slave trade. Many millions died 1794 as part of the fight for equality, has more freedom than the African beats to signal the start of revolts, stated that in 1505 one manilla when they were captured and but Napoleon reintroduced slavery men, women and children who own people? including the revolution in Haiti was worth a big elephant tooth transported. Europeans dominated in 1802 and it was not abolished were traded as goods. which led to its independence. and eight to ten manillas would the trade in enslaved Africans using in French colonies until 1848. For this reason drums were banned buy an African person to enslave. the power of guns. They justified in some Caribbean islands. enslaving Africans claiming that they were ‘uncivilised’.

Manilla, 1700s © The Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester Slave Trade, 1791 © The Whitworth Art Gallery, The University of Manchester West African drum, 1898 © The Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester Cotton and transatlantic slavery

Traite des Nègres, Study for Slave Hold, The Whitworth Art Gallery, © The estate of Sir Jacob Epstein The University of Manchester

Mrs Rosa Samuel and her three daughters, Slave chain fabric, The Whitworth Art Gallery, Museum of Science & Industry The University of Manchester Questions Two cotton cops, 1735, 1885 The Liverpool and Manchester Railway, 1830 Union patriotic envelope, 1861 Gallery Oldham Museum of Science & Industry Museum of Science & Industry 1 How was cotton linked to the transatlantic A cotton cop is a cone with cotton The cop on the right was made at The Liverpool and Manchester New technology and machinery This envelope was published in (But between you and I, thread or yarn spun around it on Marsland Mill. The older cop on the Railway opened on 15 September in the 1700s and 1800s helped New York in 1861, at the start of the that’s all fiddle-de-dee:) slave trade? a spindle. These two cotton cops left was only discovered when an 1830, with stations at Liverpool revolutionise the British cotton . Both the northern She cannot, O Cotton! were framed by William Mannock to old warehouse in Manchester was Road, Manchester and Edge Hill. industry. As more and more raw anti-slavery Union and southern she cannot rule thee. 2 How were raw and manufactured cotton celebrate the long history of cotton redeveloped in 1882. It was the world’s first inter-city cotton was processed in the mills pro-slavery Confederate states spinning in the north west of . passenger railway. As well as in and around Manchester, more published illustrated envelopes from Lo! Manchester’s lordling products transported? The early cop is spun from cotton carrying people, the railway was Africans were enslaved to work the 1850s as political propaganda thy greatness shall own, Mannock was the owner of that was picked by enslaved African important for carrying goods. on the plantations in the southern to support their cause. Over 4,100 3 Why did so many people work in cotton factories Marsland Mill in Oldham, which had workers in America. The raw cotton states of America. different envelope designs were And yield more to thee than around ? over 40,000 spindles and employed came to England as part of the In December 1830, American produced, with versions published in he would to the Throne: 400 people. Mannock gave the triangular trade associated with cotton grown by enslaved Africans By 1860 over 88% of the cotton most of the major cities, especially 4 How important was slave-grown cotton to the cotton cops for the opening display slavery. The 1885 cotton was was part of the first consignment imported into Britain came from For before thee shall bend New York and Boston. north west of England? of Oldham’s Free Library, Museum probably picked by free African of goods transported by the the labour of enslaved Africans in his fat marrow-bone, and Art Gallery in 1885 to reflect the Americans who were the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. America. Slavery was only abolished Slavery was a common theme as And deaf be his ear to the 5 Where does cotton come from today? wealth the cotton trade brought to descendants of enslaved people. The need to move large amounts in America in 1865, although it had the northern Union states wanted to live chattel’s groan. the town. Slavery was abolished in America of cotton was a major factor in the ended in the 1830s in the British abolish it and the southern cotton in 1865. development of transport in the colonies in the Caribbean. growing Confederate states wanted The words suggest that wealthy The two cops were made 150 north west of England. Canals were it to continue. English traders valued American years apart but both yarns are You can see the original Liverpool the main form of transport in the cotton extremely highly. The images made to the same fineness and and Manchester Railway train tracks The verse called ‘Cotton is King!’ early 1800s until the expansion of reinforce the poem. John Bull, from the same raw material, and passenger station at the mentions Manchester and says: the railway network. the stereotypical Briton, is showing American cotton. In 1735, before Museum of Science and Industry, Old England is mighty; respect to a cotton bale whilst large-scale mechanisation, spinning MOSI, in Castlefield, Manchester. Old England is free; kneeling on an enslaved African, was ‘put out’ and people did the showing what was more important work at . By 1885, there were She boasts that she ruleth to him. hundreds of mills across Lancashire. the waves of the sea;

Two cotton cops, 1735, 1885 © Gallery Oldham The Liverpool and Manchester Railway, 1830 © Museum of Science & Industry Union patriotic envelope, 1861 © Museum of Science & Industry Local cotton industries in Greater Manchester

Horizontal condensing engine, Manchester warehouses, Museum of Science & Industry © Richard Weltman

Lancashire loom used at Pennington Mill, Manchester Royal Exchange, Museum of Science & Industry © Richard Weltman Questions Crompton’s Mule, 1802 Souvenir cotton bale, 1884 Manchester Royal Exchange, 1877 Bolton Museum and Archive Service Gallery Oldham 1 How important were machines to the Samuel Crompton developed he became a local hero in Bolton, Throughout the 1800s most of Slave-grown cotton from the Manchester was the world’s first The original Manchester Exchange his first spinning mule in 1779. and nationally known as the Oldham’s cotton came from southern states of America provided industrial city. It was an important was built in 1729. A new larger cotton industry? It was called a mule because it inventor of the mule. the southern states of America. 70% of the raw material fuelling centre for the spinning of cotton exchange was completed in combined two previous cotton Raw cotton was processed and Britain’s Industrial Revolution at during the Industrial Revolution 1809 at the corner of Market Street Crompton’s invention meant large 2 How did Greater Manchester benefit spinning machines, the water packed in large bales for shipping. its height. as well as the commercial centre and Exchange Street. As the cotton scale employment, especially in frame and the spinning jenny. This cotton bale is from the World of the industry. The Exchange was industry continued to expand a from cotton? Greater Manchester, and the cotton Manchester’s cotton mills produced Exposition Trade Fair held in New where the business took place. much larger building again was It produced large quantities of fine, industry generated a huge amount ‘coarse checks’ (cloth or fabric with Orleans in 1884-85. Cotton was In 1874 it was called ‘the largest needed. This was completed in 3 Why was there so much money to be made strong cotton yarn. From 1781- of wealth for Britain. a pattern of crossed lines) and silk one of America’s most important trading room in the world’. 1849. When Queen Victoria visited 1791, the first decade of the mule’s handkerchiefs. These were sent to from the cotton trade? The mule in the photograph ended and well recognised export Manchester in 1851 she was use, the amount of raw cotton Africa and traded for enslaved The painting by HL Saunders and up in the firm Dobson and Barlow of products. The cotton bale welcomed in the new exchange supplied to Britain more than tripled. Africans, completing the triangle Frederick Sargent is an important 4 Can you compare conditions for cotton workers Bolton which manufactured cotton is labelled ‘A souvenir of the not the town hall. After her visit The mule helped to revolutionise of trade between Britain, Africa historical document as it names key machinery. The mule was lent to sunny south’. the building was called the in Greater Manchester and enslaved Africans the British cotton industry. It massively and the Americas. individuals involved in Manchester’s Bolton museum to teach the history Manchester Royal Exchange, on America’s cotton plantations? increased the amount of cotton Slavery was abolished in the USA cotton trade at that time. of the cotton industry. It became This cotton bale was donated and a large royal coat of arms yarn manufacturers could produce, at the end of the American Civil a permanent part of the museum to Gallery Oldham in 1942, by The Manchester Exchange had a was added to the exterior. 5 Was Manchester ‘built’ on slavery? which meant more demand for raw War in 1865 but cotton continued collections when the last Dobson Councillor E Henthorn, whose membership of up to 11,000 cotton cotton to supply the mills. to be exported, grown by the Since 1973 the building has been family member retired from the grandfather Thomas Henthorn merchants who met every Tuesday descendants of enslaved Africans. the Royal Exchange Theatre. This Despite the success of the mule, firm in the early 1900s. was a cotton dealer in the 1880s, and Friday to trade their goods. painting was given to Manchester Samuel Crompton was unable With the mechanisation of the and later the manager of a group These merchants represented 280 The mule is probably one of the most Art Gallery in 1968 by the Royal to patent his design and made cotton spinning industry in and of Oldham cotton mills. cotton towns and villages in and important objects in any museum in Exchange committee but is very little money from it. He around Manchester throughout the around the north west of England. the north west of England because currently in Manchester Town Hall. eventually died in poverty in 1700s and 1800s, more raw cotton of the impact the cotton spinning 1827. However, after his death was needed from the plantations. industry had in the region.

Crompton’s Mule, 1802 © Bolton Museum and Archive Service Souvenir cotton bale, 1884 © Gallery Oldham Interior of the Royal Exchange, 1877 © Manchester Art Gallery Freedom and human rights

Model of a freed slave, James Watkins, The Whitworth Art Gallery, Bolton Museum and The University of Manchester Archive Service

Uncle Tom and Little Eva, Bolton Museum and Slave whip, Archive Service People’s History Museum Questions Narrative of the Life of Henry Box Brown, 1851 Slave shackle, 1807 The Life of the Late James Johnson, 1914 In the collection of the John Rylands Library, The University of Manchester People’s History Museum Gallery Oldham 1 What is it to be free? Henry Brown was born enslaved in He left the USA and arrived in Shackles were used to control Haiti is unique as the only nation James Johnson was born into a strong anti-slavery movement USA in 1815. In 1849 Brown’s Liverpool in 1850. He toured the enslaved Africans when they were which gained independence as slavery on 20 March 1847, at in Oldham. Abolitionists formed a 2 How and why were enslaved Africans treated master refused to buy Brown’s wife north of England to tell his story captured, marched to the coast the result of a rebellion by enslaved Smithfield, North Carolina in the USA. strong mass political movement when she and their children were and to help raise awareness for and loaded in ships like cargo. Africans. The rebellion was led by He escaped during the American and used petitions and sugar so brutally? put up for sale. Henry Brown the abolition of slavery. He spent Men remained chained in the Toussaint L’Ouverture and Jean Civil War by swimming out to a boycotts to try and bring an decided to escape to freedom the next 14 years lecturing and holds of ships for journeys across Jacques Dessalines. These two northern warship, the Stars and end to slavery. 3 What rights did enslaved Africans have? by being posted in a box. re-enacting his escape. Brown spoke the Atlantic of about six weeks. former enslaved Africans used Stripes, anchored off the coast. The Slavery Abolition Act that finally at venues in Manchester, where he their brilliant military and political Johnson made his way to New Brown was sent from Richmond, Shackles were also used as a form ended slavery in British colonies 4 Why did they try to escape slavery? made the contacts to enable him leadership to defeat both York, and worked his passage to Virginia, to . The of restraint and punishment on was passed on 23 August 1833. to publish his book ‘Narrative of the the French and British armies. Liverpool, arriving in December 350 mile journey took 27 hours. plantations in the Caribbean and On 1 August 1834, all those enslaved 5 Who resisted slavery and campaigned Life of Henry Box Brown’. Independence was declared 1862. Over the next four years In Philadelphia the box was America. Enslaved Africans often in the British Empire were set free. in 1804 and Saint-Domingue he travelled across England and for abolition? opened and Brown jumped His popularity and the publication tried to escape and shackles, However, a period of apprenticeship was once again called Haiti settled in Oldham in 1866. out and declared ‘Good morning, of his book show the support for the whips, guns and dogs were used kept many working in the same as the name for the new 6 Does slavery still exist today? gentlemen!’ as if he had arrived abolition of slavery in Manchester to stop them. Johnson initially worked for Platt conditions as slavery until 1838. African-led nation. on a train. and the surrounding cotton towns. Brothers of Oldham, one of the This shackle was used in the Owners received massive amounts The use of shackles and the brutal largest companies making The engraving of his rising from Brown married an English wife French Caribbean colony of of compensation after abolition, punishments for enslaved Africans machines for the cotton industry. the box became an important and had two children. The 1871 Saint-Domingue where there were whilst those who had been enslaved were some of the most shocking He then drew on his experiences image used to support the case census lists the Browns in Cheetham, many sugar, tobacco and indigo received nothing. Slavery did not aspects of slavery for abolitionist of slavery to become a religious for abolition. Brown became an Manchester where they were doing plantations, and Africans were end in the USA until after the Europeans and Americans. preacher. During his sermons overnight sensation changing his well enough to employ a servant. treated very badly. The western American Civil War in 1865. Johnson talked about the evils of name to Henry ‘Box’ Brown. In 1875, however, Brown decided part of the island was originally slavery which helped to establish to return to America, and the called Haiti. As an escaped enslaved African, last record of him is in 1878 Brown could have been caught outside Boston. and returned to his owner.

Narrative of the Life of Henry Box Brown, 1851, in the collection of the John Rylands Library, The University of Manchester Slave shackle, 1807 © People’s History Museum The Life of the Late James Johnson, 1914 © Gallery Oldham The American Civil War and Lancashire cotton workers

Figure of ‘Blind Joe’, Abraham Lincoln by William E Gallery Oldham Marshall,

A handkerchief in Bust of Richard Cobden, memory of John Bright, Touchstones Rochdale Touchstones Rochdale Questions Statue of Abraham Lincoln, 1917 Cotton famine flour barrel, 1862 Captain’s sword, CSS Alabama, 1864 by George Grey Barnard Touchstones Rochdale Touchstones Rochdale 1 Who was Abraham Lincoln and why was This bronze statue of Abraham The American Civil War, The north west of England was On 9 February 1863, the relief One side of this sword says ‘Captn northern states of $6m. A young Lincoln was sent from the USA to between the Union north and directly affected by the American ship George Griswold, docked at Raphael Semmes’ and the other man named Bell from Rochdale he important? Britain to mark 100 years of peace the Confederate ‘rebel’ south, Civil War. The region needed Liverpool, carrying food sent by ‘Steamer Alabama CSN, 1864’. was on board the Alabama, between the two countries. It was began on 12 April 1861. It led raw slave-grown cotton from the Abraham Lincoln and the people when she sank some northern The southern Confederate states 2 What caused the American Civil War? intended to stand outside the to a cotton famine in Lancashire southern states of the USA to supply of New York and Philadelphia to Union ships. He wrote in a letter in the USA needed ships to attack Houses of Parliament in London. when the export of raw cotton its cotton mills. Abraham Lincoln thank the starving people of to his cousin: northern Union merchant ships but 3 Who in the USA wanted slavery to continue from the USA dried up. Many blockaded southern ports in the Lancashire for their support of the The statue shows Lincoln as an they had no ship building industry. ‘We have taken about 35 vessels. cotton workers in the north west USA to prevent the export of cotton northern anti-slavery states in the and who wanted it to end? ordinary man of the people rather There was a secret mission to We fired a shot from the gun that of England were unemployed and to protest against slavery. USA. The ship was greeted on the than as a statesman, which was Liverpool to buy arms and build I was at and it nearly knocked her and starving as a result, but they dockside by a crowd of nearly 4 What linked the American Civil War to the controversial, so a different statue This meant that no raw cotton ships. It was illegal for the British foremast down... A man of war still showed widespread support 4,000 people. The cargo included was sent to London. Manchester came into Britain and led to the to provide weapons and support steamer which we had to take by north west of England? for Abraham Lincoln and abolition. boxes of bacon and bread, bags took this one because of its Lancashire cotton famine of 1862- foreign wars. The steamer ship force we sunk in 17 minutes... we of rice and corn, and 15,000 connections with Lincoln during The statue of Abraham Lincoln 63. It cost Lancashire mill owners the Alabama was built disguised escaped with one man wounded 5 What was the Lancashire cotton famine and barrels of flour. the American Civil War. can be seen in Lincoln Square on about £30m. It was a time of great as a merchant ship and left in the mouth. He is now alright. how did it affect cotton industries in Britain? Brazennose Street in Manchester. hardship and many cotton workers The barrel shown in the picture Birkenhead with a British captain I must conclude as there is a full Abraham Lincoln was elected It says: ‘This statue commemorates were unemployed and starving. is the only one remaining from and crew. She was then fitted out rigged brig in sight... we can’t say president of the USA in 1860. One 6 Were people in the north west of England the support that the working people Despite this, many people in the that cargo and is on display at as a warship away from the eyes exactly what she is but if she be a of his main policies was to stop the of Manchester gave in the fight for north west of England still supported Touchstones Rochdale. of the British government and North Yankee she will be on fire directly.’ pro or anti-slavery? spread of slavery. The pro-slavery the abolition of slavery during the the abolition of slavery. American spies. southern states which used enslaved The CSS Alabama was finally sunk American Civil War’. labour to grow cotton feared his Captain Raphael Semmes took in June 1864, outside the French election would destroy their way command of the Alabama. She port of Cherbourg. The sword may of life. Seven southern states, then sailed all over the world, putting out have been presented to Captain four more, split from the northern of action a total of 69 anti-slavery Semmes during his stay in Europe anti-slavery Union states. Union ships, at a cost to the following the loss of the Alabama.

Statue of Abraham Lincoln, 1917 by George Grey Barnard © Paul Cliff Cotton famine flour barrel, 1862, © Touchstones Rochdale Captain’s sword, CSS Alabama, 1864 © Touchstones Rochdale Campaigning for the abolition of slavery

Cup and saucer with sugar Tobacco box lid, cane and cotton flowers, Manchester Art Gallery Gallery Oldham

Sugar castor, Anti-slavery pincushion, Manchester Art Gallery Manchester Art Gallery Questions Token, ‘Am I Not a Man and a Brother’, 1787 Breakfast service made by Wedgwood, 1785 Bust of John Bright, 1867 People’s History Museum Gallery Oldham Touchstones Rochdale

1 Who was involved in the abolition movement in This token was made in 1787 for and tobacco boxes, ladies’ This breakfast service shows many Rum was also produced from John Bright was born in Rochdale Bright had enormous influence the first anti-slavery organisation set bracelets and hair pins, as well connections to slavery. It was slave-grown sugar and became in 1811. He and his brothers took in the north west of England and the north west of England and why? up by Granville Sharp and Thomas as other everyday household made by Josiah Wedgwood. a very popular drink. Rum was over the family cotton spinning found strong support among Clarkson. It shows a chained ceramics including milk jugs, tea Wedgwood was an abolitionist given to sailors as well as to mill at Cronkeyshaw in 1839. It the working people of Rochdale 2 Why was John Bright anti-slavery when he owned African man, naked and kneeling, sets and sugar bowls, many of and produced the design ‘Am I not enslaved Africans on ships became one of the biggest mills against slavery. , a cotton spinning mill? surrounded by the words ‘Am I Not which were produced by Josiah a Man and a Brother?’ showing a crossing the Atlantic. in Rochdale. an African American who escaped a Man and a Brother’. The reverse Wedgwood’s pottery company. kneeling enslaved African begging slavery, described John Bright This breakfast service was owned The Bright family were Quakers, a has two hands joined in friendship. This spread the anti-slavery for freedom. and Richard Cobden in his 1883 3 What methods did abolitionists use to by British prime minister, William religious movement that believed message widely. autobiography, as ‘friendly to the The kneeling image and the The set includes a sugar bowl. There Gladstone. His father, John in pacifism and equality for all. get support? loyal and progressive spirit which motto ‘Am I Not a Man and a In Britain opinion was divided over was a huge growth in consumption Gladstone, had large sugar Bright was active in politics all his abolished slavery’. 4 When were enslaved people finally free in Brother’ became the symbols the issue of slavery. The British state of sugar in Britain during the 1700s. plantations in Jamaica and life, becoming an MP for Durham, of the anti-slavery movement. (including the royal family and the Sugar was grown on plantations British Guiana (now Guyana) Manchester and Birmingham. Although Bright strongly opposed British colonies? The image was created by Josiah church) and many rich landowners in the Caribbean by millions of and received nearly £100,000 in slavery he didn’t support the end Although Bright made his money Wedgwood who was an abolitionist and businessmen initially supported enslaved Africans working in compensation when slavery was of in Lancashire mills. from cotton, he was, like most 5 What types of campaigns are successful today? and also ran a pottery company. slavery. Their wealth depended appalling conditions. They often finally abolished. The enslaved He argued that many families Quakers, strongly anti-slavery. It showed enslaved Africans as on it. Many ordinary people, worked from early morning to late people who had worked on his relied on child labour for their He supported Abraham Lincoln passive as if they accepted slavery. especially women, saw that it in the night and cutting and boiling plantations received nothing. survival. He also refused to in the American Civil War and the Many enslaved Africans resisted was against basic human rights sugar cane was extremely hard contribute to the poor relief fund This breakfast service came from the fight against slavery. Bright and slavery and escaped. They and campaigned to bring it to an and dangerous work. for Rochdale during the cotton Lees family who founded Oldham’s Rochdale MP Richard Cobden showed courage, ingenuity and end. There was a lot of anti-slavery famine. Instead he offered his Sugar started off as a luxury but art gallery. They made their fortune in regularly wrote letters of support to determination to end slavery. support in and around Greater workers loans which they could soon became a basic part of the the cotton industry, which depended President Abraham Lincoln. They Manchester. The British slave trade barely afford to repay. The symbol was copied on British diet. It was used to sweeten on raw slave-grown cotton from became known among politicians was made illegal in 1807. anti-slavery leaflets, and used to puddings as well as drinks such plantations in the USA, until the in parliament as ‘the two members decorate medallions, men’s snuff as tea, coffee and chocolate. abolition of slavery in 1865. for the United States’.

Token, ‘Am I Not a Man and a Brother’, 1787 © People’s History Museum Breakfast service made by Wedgwood, 1785 © Gallery Oldham Bust of John Bright, 1867 © Touchstones Rochdale After abolition

Golden commemorative plate, Beyer-Garratt locomotive, Gallery Oldham Museum of Science & Industry

The Cotton Industry: A Romance of Modern Work, Bolton Museum and Henry Mayers Hyndman, Archive Service People’s History Museum Questions Tewkesbury medal, 1834 Cotton is King stereoscope card, 1895 Token, We Are All Brethren, 1814 Bolton Museum and Archive Service Bolton Museum and Archive Service People’s History Museum 1 Did slavery end with the 1807 and the 1833 This medal was given to school The Act that ended slavery in British This stereoscope card shows the ability of African Americans to Although dated 1807, when the The reverse is in Arabic, and children in Tewkesbury in 1834 to colonies was finally passed on 23 cotton pickers descended from own property. They also included British transatlantic slave trade was translates as ‘Sale of slaves laws to abolish slavery? celebrate the abolition of slavery. August 1833. On 1 August 1834, enslaved Africans. The card is titled: vagrancy laws under which black abolished, these tokens were made prohibited in 1807, Christian era, One side shows a freed enslaved all those enslaved in the British Cotton is King, Plantation Scene, people could be forced to work in about 1814 and again in about in the reign of George III: verily, 2 Did Britain abolish slavery for moral or African standing beneath radiant Empire were finally set free, but Georgia, U.S.A. for white people if they were 1830-50 to be used as coins in the we are all brothers’. The Arabic text beams of light with his arms raised an ‘apprenticeship’ system kept considered unemployed. colony of in Africa. was possibly included as the Arab religious reasons? The American Civil War of 1861- to heaven. He is standing on a many working in the same slave trade continued long after 1865 led to the end of slavery in This inequality led to the American Sierra Leone was an important broken whip with broken chains conditions until 1838. British abolition. This token may have 3 Where were other cheap labourers found to the USA. However, this picture was civil rights movement and the fight centre of the transatlantic slave around him. been seen as a way of spreading Different countries abolished published in 1895, well after the for equal legal rights took more trade supplying enslaved Africans. send to Caribbean colonies? the abolitionist message. Around the edge of the medal slavery at different times. Denmark Civil War had ended, and shows than another 100 years. There were In 1792, Freetown was founded by 4 What was the American civil rights movement? words taken from the Bible say: ‘This abolished the trade in 1803, that many people were still working a number of very influential people the Sierra Leone Company as a Even though the British slave trade is the Lord’s doing; It is marvellous France in 1848 and Portugal in in conditions that were little different associated with the American civil home for freed enslaved Africans. ended in 1807, many millions of 5 Did the end of slavery lead to equal in our eyes’. The reverse says: ‘In 1869. Slavery only ended in to slavery. African Americans rights movement including Martin These men had fought for Britain in Africans continued to be enslaved commemoration of the extinction America in 1865. still had the lowest paid and Luther King, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X the American War of Independence and exported. British traders carried human rights? of colonial slavery throughout the hardest jobs. and Paul Robeson. and were offered their freedom. on transporting Africans illegally and The British celebrated the abolition British Dominions in the reign of They were repatriated to Sierra some European countries did not of slavery. They justified their actions After the American Civil War there Barack Obama, an African William the IV Augt 1 1834’. Leone, even though they may have abolish their trade until much later. on moral and religious grounds, were a number of laws known as American, became the 44th come from different parts of Africa. In 1807 the British parliament ended and suggested they were superior ‘black codes’ or the ‘Jim Crow Laws’ president of the USA in 2009. After slavery ended, Britain imported the transatlantic slave trade, but to other countries that still had that discriminated against former For many Americans this was a The coins were commissioned Asian indentured labourers to its it was still legal to own enslaved slavery. In fact, there were economic enslaved African Americans and sign that the civil rights movement by Zachary Macaulay, a former Caribbean colonies to keep up workers. The abolition campaign reasons why slavery was becoming still limited their freedom. had finally succeeded and racial Governor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, the supply of cheap workers. These continued in Britain and there less profitable and the British seemed equality had been achieved even and a member of the Society for indentured labourers were paid very The laws were slightly different from were many rebellions by enslaved to forget they were once the most if racism still continues. the Abolition of the Slave Trade. low wages but their conditions were state to state, but they all restricted people in Caribbean colonies. active slave traders in the world. not much better than those of slavery.

Tewkesbury medal, 1834 © Bolton Museum and Archive Service Cotton is King stereoscope card, 1895 © Bolton Museum and Archive Service Token, We Are All Brethren, 1814 © People’s History Museum ‘Pass It On’ by Lemn Sissay How is it that we still smile when the pressure comes? Legacies of transatlantic How is it we stand firm when they think we should run? How is it that we retain our integrity? slavery: racism in How is it through this maze that we keep the clarity? Manchester How is it that through pain we retain compassion? How is it that we spread but stay one nation? How is it that we work in the face of abuse? How is it that the pressure’s on yet we seem loose? This is the story about the rising truth, when you feel closed in simply raise the roof, the Africans were the first civilisation born by the Nile was the first generation. Malcolm X had a dream we have a dream too, and the only way to get it is to pass it on through, from the day we leave to the day we arrived, we were born to survive born to stay alive, by all means necessary I’m an accessory, to provide the positive vibe is a necessity, to clasp our past to go to war with our fears, to claim and attain in our future years. Sometimes life can be cold and complicated more time the problem is overrated. Money box, Punch and Judy puppet, Nina Simone called it the Blacklash Blues, Gallery Oldham Gallery Oldham even though they say it’s history we all know that it’s news. The oppressor hopes and prays for you to cry, to close your hearts and your minds to lay down and die, to be another numb number to treat and delete, to fall into the spiral rhythm of defeat. Malcolm X had a dream we have a dream too and the only way to get it is to pass it on through, no message has been stronger, no sea carried more weight, no army marched for longer, no wind swept at this rate. So pride is in my skin is in the vision I have seen. The pain I withstand for I have a dream. Zulu with a Black Eye, Simply Read, Know who you are, know the ground on which you stand. Gallery Oldham Manchester Art Gallery Never build your house on a bed of sand. Questions Robertson’s golliwogs, 1960s ‘Pass it on’ by Lemn Sissay Paul Robeson by Jacob Epstein 1928 Gallery Oldham Touchstones Rochdale 1 How were black people generally portrayed The golliwog was a popular The golliwog quickly became a Lemn’s family comes from they were my father and mother. Paul Robeson was one of the most Robeson was also a singer and childhood toy across Europe common character in children’s Ethiopia but Lemn was put up for I had seen black people in the famous, and controversial African sang spirituals that stemmed from throughout history? and the USA. It originated in books, but changed from the adoption when his mother moved street or maybe even said hello Americans of his time. He was an the time of slavery. He said: ‘If I can a children’s story book, The original ugly but lovable creature to England. He was brought up by but until I was 17 years old I never actor, film star, singer and civil teach my audiences who know 2 What is racism? Adventures of Two Dutch Dolls, of Upton’s stories into a stereotyped a white family living in a Lancashire actually knew another black rights activist. almost nothing about the Negro, written by American author villain, mean-spirited and devious. cotton town. When he was 18 person. Throughout my life I have to know him through my songs… Robeson was born in Princeton, 3 Does racism still exist and can it be linked to Florence Kate Upton in 1895. years old, Lemn moved to the been very lost, I’ve been very then I will feel that I am an artist, The golliwog went on to appear New Jersey, in 1898. His father had city of Manchester. confused – but I’ve always and that I am using my art for the transatlantic slave trade? In the story, two dolls are let loose on pencils, knitting patterns, playing escaped from slavery as a teenager. searched for answers and the myself, for my race and for in a toy shop where they meet cards, toys and ornaments. In 2006, Sissay wrote an article, He told Paul stories of slavery and ultimate answer is that the buck the world’. 4 What do you think it is like to be black growing Golliwog, ‘the blackest gnome’, ‘Growing up in an alien environment’ encouraged him to achieve his The golliwog is probably best stops with yourself.’ dressed in red trousers, red bow about his life in Britain: potential in spite of racial prejudice. He lived and worked in Britain up and living in Manchester? remembered in Britain as the tie and blue coat. He looked By the age of 19, Lemn was between 1927 and 1939. In 1949 brand logo for Robertson’s jams. ‘My mother came to England in Paul Robeson was an outstanding crude, with a black face, unruly one of only two black literature he returned to sing at the Free 5 Does slavery continue today? It first appeared on product labels 1967... Ethiopia was a prosperous scholar and paid his way through hair, thick lips and wide eyes. development workers in Britain Trade Hall in Manchester and at and advertising material in 1910 place... a comfortable time for Law School by working as a Golliwog was, in fact, a caricature at Commonword, a community the New International Club in Moss and was immediately hugely Ethiopians. But as she found out, professional footballer and as of the American minstrels – white publishing cooperative in Side. The club was too small for the popular. After much criticism it was not a comfortable time for an actor. He experienced racism men who blacked up to perform Manchester. Today, a number thousands who came to hear him and campaigns to expose race relations in the UK. My mother, in the law profession and left to songs in a manner that mimicked of his poems can be found sing so Robeson sang in the street the racist history of the image, finding herself in difficulties, sought become an actor. Robeson played enslaved Africans. on buildings throughout the for them. Robertson’s finally dropped to have me fostered for a short the part of Shakespeare’s Othello Manchester area and have the golliwog from its packaging time. However, my care worker told (in London in 1930, on Broadway Robeson’s politics and his support become local landmarks, in 2001. my foster family that it was a proper 1943, in Stratford in 1959). These for civil rights made life difficult for making Lemn a local literary hero. adoption. I was with them for 11 performances were of artistic and him in America. At one point he He has performed his plays and years. Although my adopted father political importance for an African had his passport withdrawn. He poems throughout the world, and mother were white I believed American at that time. died in 1976. on TV and on radio programmes.

Robertson’s golliwogs, 1960s © Gallery Oldham Lemn Sissay, ‘Pass it on’ Rebel without Applause, Bloodaxe Books Ltd 1992 Paul Robeson by Jacob Epstein, 1928 © The estate of Sir Jacob Epstein