American Revolution and Slave Trade

American Revolution and Aftermath

• Britain lost its 13 American colonies due to economic and political tensions.
• Key taxes/acts causing conflict included the Sugar Act (1764), Stamp Act (1765), and Tea Act (1773).
• The "no taxation without representation" slogan encapsulated colonial grievances.
• Armed conflict started in 1775, culminating in the Treaty of Paris (1783), recognizing American independence.
• Britain maintained control over territories like Canada and the Caribbean.

Transatlantic Slave Trade and Abolition

• Britain dominated the transatlantic slave trade, transporting over 3 million Africans (1700–1807).
• This trade was integral to a triangular system (Africa, Americas, Britain).
• British industrial growth relied in part on profits from slavery.
• William Wilberforce led parliamentary campaigns for abolition.
• Olaudah Equiano, a former enslaved person, was a prominent abolitionist writer.
• The Slavery Abolition Act (1833) abolished slavery, costing £20 million (40% of the UK's budget).
• This shifted trade focus to "legitimate trade" like palm oil exports.

Napoleonic Wars

• Britain, through naval dominance (Battle of Trafalgar, 1805), crippled French trade and funded alliances.
• Britain significantly gained from the increased global trade during the war.
• Britain's dominance enabled it to gain colonies (Mauritius, Trinidad, Cape of Good Hope).

Expansion into Africa

• After 1807, Britain promoted "legitimate trade" like palm oil, replacing the slave trade.
• The Berlin Conference (1884–85) saw Africa partitioned amongst European powers.
• Britain gained territories in West and Southern Africa.
• The Boer Wars (1880–81, 1899–1902) resulted in the creation of the Union of South Africa under British control.

Trade and Industrialization

• Britain became a leading exporter and "workshop of the world" due to the Industrial Revolution.
• Cotton textiles constituted a significant portion of British exports (50% in the 1830s-1850s).
• The repeal of the Corn Laws (1846) lowered food prices and promoted free trade.
• Britain enjoyed the advantages of free trade but faced rising competition from Germany and the U.S. (British manufacturing share dropping).

Britain-China Relations: Opium Wars

• Britain exported opium to China, despite its illegality.
• Conflict between Britain and China (First Opium War, 1839–42) led to the Treaty of Nanking gaining access for Britain into China.
• The Second Opium War (1856–60) further expanded British influence and trade concessions.

Challenges to British Dominance

• Britain faced increasing competition in manufacturing and industry from Germany and the USA.
• Nationalist movements within some colonies (e.g., Ireland, Africa) challenged imperial control.
• The exploitation of colonies and lack of investment in domestic industry came under scrutiny.

Key Statistics

• Britain held an extensive empire, reaching 400 million people and covering 25% of the world's landmass by 1914.
• Britain's industrial output in 1750–1850 comprised over 40% of Europe’s total.
• 50% of British exports were textiles in the 1830s–1850s.

Conclusion

• Britain's empire shifted with periods of loss (American colonies) and gain (e.g., African territories), and industrialization, naval strength, and a global trade network supported the empire.
• From 1763 to 1914 growth and dominance were challenged by nationalism and industrial rivals.

Explore the pivotal events of the American Revolution and the complexities of the transatlantic slave trade. This quiz covers key acts and figures from both movements, including the significance of British economic interests and abolition efforts. Test your knowledge on how these historical events shaped modern society.