Monarchs, MPs and merchants: the register laying bare Britain’s slave-trading past

New research, "The Register of British Slave Traders," has comprehensively documented thousands of individuals, including monarchs, MPs, and merchants, who profited from Britain's centuries-long transatlantic slave trade. The project reveals the deep involvement of the British monarchy, parliament, and financial elites in trafficking over 3 million enslaved Africans and traces financial links to modern institutions.
Why it matters
This research provides an unprecedented, detailed account of Britain's slave-trading past, forcing a re-evaluation of historical narratives and the enduring legacy of slavery on contemporary institutions and society.
The register builds the most comprehensive single picture so far of those who perpetrated the enslavement of African people. The register builds the most comprehensive single picture so far of those who perpetrated the enslavement of African people. Enslaving nation Slavery Monarchs, MPs and merchants: the register laying bare Britain’s slave-trading past Exclusive: New research identifies thousands who profited from trafficking enslaved Africans and traces some financial links to institutions still operating today
The big picture The Register of British Slave Traders and the president of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama The enormous scale of Britain’s centuries-long trafficking of enslaved African people, supported by parliament and the monarchy, has been laid bare by new research.
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