Year 8 - History
British involvement in Transatlantic Slave Trade
Transatlantic Slavery: how were West African societies impacted?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn about the kingdoms of the Sahel and how the arrival of European traders in the region began to destabilise West Africa. Pupils build a deep knowledge of Transatlantic Slavery whilst retaining a focus on the impacts it had in West Africa.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the role of Britain in the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Key Notes
- The British arrived in West Africa from the 1660s, with the support of King Charles II and later King James II.
- The arrival of the British led to more conflict between and within kingdoms in West Africa.
- Before enslaved labour was used on plantations, Britain used a system of indentured labour.
- Barbados was the most profitable colony with the growth of sugar.
- The British transported enslaved people to new colonies in the Caribbean, such as Jamaica and Barbados.
Vocabulary To Learn
- colonisation: the process of one person or a group of people taking control of another country or state and settling on that land
- plantations: areas of land on which certain crops were grown, usually using forced labour
- enslaved people: people who have been forced to work, lose their freedom and become the property of another person
- indentured labour: a system where someone is made to work without pay for a set period of time
- slave holder: someone who owned an enslaved person
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.
The British arrived in West Africa from the 1660s, with the support of King Charles II and later King James II. The arrival of the British led to more conflict between and within kingdoms in West Africa.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'colonisation'
the process of one person or a group of people taking control of another country or state and settling on that land.
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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