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Year 10 - History

The Transatlantic Slave Trade

Britain: Migration, empires and the people - c790 to the present day

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn about a theme in British history over a period of roughly 1000 years. They examine this theme, analysing the impact it had in Medieval, Early Modern, Industrial and Modern Britain, with a particular focus on change and continuity.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to recall that between the 16th and 18th centuries many enslaved West Africans were transported to the Americas and forced to work on plantations.

Key Notes

  • Before the arrival of the Europeans, West Africa was wealthy and central to growing trade networks.
  • The arrival of the Europeans de-stabilised West African society and led to the trade in enslaved people.
  • Between the 16th and 19th centuries, enslaved West Africans were transported to work on plantations in the Americas.
  • Those who were enslaved faced brutal conditions on the plantations and the loss of their freedom.
  • The enslaved West Africans brought with them a mixture of language and traditions.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Transatlantic Slave Trade: the trade from the 16th to 19th centuries that transported enslaved African peoples to the Americas
  • plantation: an area of land on which certain crops were grown using forced labour
  • enslaved person: a person who has been forced to work without pay, lose their freedom and become the property of another person; sources often refer to them as slaves
  • indentured servitude: a system where someone is made to work without pay for a set period of time

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Britain was always involved in the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

Before the arrival of the Europeans, West Africa was wealthy and central to growing trade networks. The arrival of the Europeans de-stabilised West African society and led to the trade in enslaved people.

2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'Transatlantic Slave Trade'

the trade from the 16th to 19th centuries that transported enslaved African peoples to the Americas.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: Britain was always involved in the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Correction: Britain became involved in the trade in the 1500s, initially selling enslaved people onto plantations in Spanish and Portuguese colonies.

More Lessons In This Unit

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