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
passage
The 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.
Plenary – My Brain
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.