Until very recently, British involvement in the transatlantic slave trade was often overlooked. Thousands of African slaves passed through British ports in abject conditions in the 18th century, and the idea remains unpalatable to most. However, according to James Walvin, professor emeritus of history at York University, the slave trade was essentially a British invention during the 18th century. There will probably never be an exact number of British ships that traded slaves for sugar and other commodities, but historians, such as David Richardson of Hull University, estimate that at least 3.4 million Africans were transported to the Americas on British vessels. As the slave trade grew, profits went into British pockets.The transportation of captured slaves from Africa to the Americas was commonly carried out by slavers, who traversed the Atlantic Ocean. This journey, known as the ‘Middle Passage’, formed a crucial part of the ‘triangular trade’ system. During this time, the slave ship often sailed alone for two months. A slave revolt on board was the greatest fear of the small crew. To keep control, they carried pistols and cutlasses, whipping the slaves with a ‘cat o’ nine tails’ for any slight error. It was common to separate the men from the women and children by a high wooden wall, and they were always shackled with iron leg chains.

Beginning of Abolition movement. 

Initially, there was limited opposition to the slave trade, as many British people saw it as a profitable business that provided luxury goods, employment, and financial benefits. The issue of abolition was not given much attention due to a mindset of ignoring the problem if it was not visible. However, the situation changed in the early 1780s when freed slaves from America arrived in Britain after the American War of Independence. This brought the issue of slavery into the public and political spotlight, leading to the beginning of the abolition movement. A significant number of black Americans had fought alongside the British during the conflict, and a considerable portion of them were brought to London before being sent to Sierra Leone for a fresh start. The argument for abolition gained momentum in 1781 when the captain of a Liverpool slave vessel tossed over 130 African slaves into the sea and attempted to collect insurance money for them. The insurance company for the ship contested the claim, leading to a court case that exposed the harsh realities of the slave trade. This pivotal moment shifted public opinion against the continuation of the trade.