Traders, abolitionists and campaigners - Britain and slavery, 1700-1900

Aims of the course

This course aims to:
1. Give you a secure base of knowledge and understanding of the outline of events and of the issues involved in the story of Britain’s involvement with the transatlantic slave trade and of the campaign for its abolition;
2. Help you to understand and interpret source material of different types relating to Britain’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and the campaign for its abolition;
3. Help you to discuss and make an informed assessment of the debate and arguments that surround the issue of the slave trade and its abolition.

Content

The story of slavery and the campaign for its abolition is central to any understanding of the shaping of modern Britain – and of the modern world. The tastes and economic life of the Georgians were heavily dependent on the labour of Africans, enslaved and transported over the Atlantic in conditions whose horrors were finally publicised by the abolitionist movement. That movement itself grew out of very specific Georgian principles and beliefs – that England was a land of law which protected the rights of the individual subject. That legal argument developed into something much wider and deeper as the cause of abolition was taken up first by the Quakers and then by the evangelical movement within the Church of England, who, in effect, perfected the world’s first modern political lobbying campaign. However, the abolitionists ran into serious problems when the issue of the rights of enslaved Africans got entangled with the conflict over the radical claims of the French Revolutionaries and their Declaration of the Rights of Man.
The slave trade issue led Britain to undertake a remarkable reversal of its previous attitudes and beliefs. Where once it had been the world’s leading slaving nation, it now took a leading role in combating the slave trade, both at sea and on land. Antislavery came to dominate its international outlook, placing it in a crucial but difficult position when the United States slid into civil war on this very issue. Moreover, Britain’s antislavery campaign also fuelled its territorial expansion, especially within Africa, and helped justify British imperial rule over its colonial empire, where, despite the abolitionist rhetoric, slavery still continued.

Presentation of the course

The main method of presentation will be illustrated lectures, with time built in for discussion. We will also look at some source material to see how it can be evaluated to help us understand the issues and the outlook of the people who created it.

Class sessions

1. Elegance and Exploitation: Georgian Britain and the slave trade – how the tastes, wealth and work of the 18th century were heavily based on the transatlantic slave trade.
2. The Altering of Attitudes: the abolitionist campaign – how and why the British abolitionists set about changing public perceptions and challenging the legal status of the slave trade.
3. The Abolitionists and their Opponents – a survey of some of the prominent abolitionists and their most vocal opponents.
4. The British and American Slavery – how did Britain’s abolition of slavery affect its view of the American republic, as it geared up for civil war over the same issue?
5. Abolitionism and Empire – how Britain’s campaign against slavery led it to expand its colonial control over Africa and elsewhere, while still maintaining slavery under other names.

Learning outcomes

As a result of this course, you should be able to:

1. Talk with confidence and knowledge about major themes and events in the history of Britain’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and the campaign for its abolition;
2. Discuss with insight and understanding the major political ideas and ideologies which underpinned Britain’s involvement in slavery and later its commitment to its abolition;
3. Reach an informed assessment of the historical debate surrounding Britain’s involvement in the slave trade, its abolition, and its contribution to the development of British imperialism.

Required reading

Olusoga, David, Black and British: a forgotten history (London: Picador, 2021)
Thomas, Hugh, The Slave Trade (London: W&N, 2006)
Walvin, James, A Short History of Slavery (London: Penguin, 2007)

Typical week: Monday to Friday

Courses run from Monday to Friday. For each week of study, you select a morning (Am) course and an afternoon (Pm) course. The maximum class size is 25 students. 

Courses are complemented by a series of daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.

Evaluation and Academic Credit 

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses. 

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £75 per essay.

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.

Certificate of attendance

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically after the programme.