New Publications Detail Britain's Extensive Involvement in Transatlantic Slave Trade
UKPulse News Desk
Recent publications, including a 636-page Register of British Slave Traders and records of nearly 4 million enslaved people, have revealed the extensive scale of Britain's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and its financial system.
- A Register of British Slave Traders, compiled by historians, was published last week, detailing the involvement of the British financial system in enslavement.
- The register is 636 pages long and lists owners, co-owners of slaving voyages, investors in the Royal African Company, and ordinary people with interests in the trade.
- Earlier this week, the Former British Colonies Enslavement Registers was published, making almost 4 million records of enslaved people across 20 former British colonies searchable.
Over the past 10 days, a series of registers, documents, and reports have been published, collectively revealing the scale of Britain's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. These publications suggest a nation significantly powered by enslavement and investment in it.
Last week saw the publication of a 636-page Register of British Slave Traders, compiled by historians. This document exposed a greater involvement of the British financial system in enslavement than previously understood, listing individuals from various professions with interests, shares, and ownerships in the trading of Africans.
Earlier this week, the Former British Colonies Enslavement Registers was also published. This resource makes almost 4 million records of enslaved people across 20 former British colonies searchable to the general public, detailing commodities traded and profits made.
Why this matters: These revelations challenge existing narratives of British history by demonstrating the significant role enslavement played in the nation's politics, economy, and industrialisation for almost 250 years.