100 years of blood, 25% of government spending, 3.5% of GDP running the West africa squadron, engaging in literal piracy intercepting slave ships, liberating their cargo, giving them freedom, land, and citizenship, invading foreign countries and engaging in regime change to stamp out the source of the enslavement. Where do we present out bill?
Further to the "free labour" argument... As you correctly point out, slaves still had to be fed and housed, maybe even a slight measure of welfare. On the basis of the notion from the Royal Navy of the day "one volunteer is worth ten pressed men" would the slave-owners actually have been better off having actual employees in much smaller numbers?
I find myself in full agreement with your summary of the case. Fuck 'em!
Every African shipped across the Atlantic had been captured, enslaved, and sold by fellow Africans. That slave trade had been going on for at least five centuries before any European became involved. It had its roots in the polygamy practiced by the Bantu people, which meant that there were large numbers of men who were essentially surplus to their societies. Such men were then easily exploited in armies or sold to Arab or European merchants.
Given the history of the West African slave trade, I suggest that Hilary Beckles and others should address any calls for reparations to the countries of West Africa that instigated the enslavement.
In a way, those taken to the Americas were the lucky ones since Arab slavers routinely castrated their male slaves, even though it resulted in up to 90% mortality.
If one of my ancestors was a slave and another a slave owner, do I pay myself? What if my ancestors migrated to Britain after the slave trade, say as refugees? Why should I pay? One of my ancestors was taken by Barbary pirates so probably made a slave (so family legend says). Do I get compensated? Welcome your clarifications.
The former slave owners who had their assets compulsarily purchased - as that is exactly what it was - had the funds taxed off them within 15 years.
100 years of blood, 25% of government spending, 3.5% of GDP running the West africa squadron, engaging in literal piracy intercepting slave ships, liberating their cargo, giving them freedom, land, and citizenship, invading foreign countries and engaging in regime change to stamp out the source of the enslavement. Where do we present out bill?
Further to the "free labour" argument... As you correctly point out, slaves still had to be fed and housed, maybe even a slight measure of welfare. On the basis of the notion from the Royal Navy of the day "one volunteer is worth ten pressed men" would the slave-owners actually have been better off having actual employees in much smaller numbers?
I find myself in full agreement with your summary of the case. Fuck 'em!
Adam Smith certainly thought so and said so in WoN in 1776. That the slave owners would have been better off that is....
Every African shipped across the Atlantic had been captured, enslaved, and sold by fellow Africans. That slave trade had been going on for at least five centuries before any European became involved. It had its roots in the polygamy practiced by the Bantu people, which meant that there were large numbers of men who were essentially surplus to their societies. Such men were then easily exploited in armies or sold to Arab or European merchants.
Given the history of the West African slave trade, I suggest that Hilary Beckles and others should address any calls for reparations to the countries of West Africa that instigated the enslavement.
In a way, those taken to the Americas were the lucky ones since Arab slavers routinely castrated their male slaves, even though it resulted in up to 90% mortality.
If one of my ancestors was a slave and another a slave owner, do I pay myself? What if my ancestors migrated to Britain after the slave trade, say as refugees? Why should I pay? One of my ancestors was taken by Barbary pirates so probably made a slave (so family legend says). Do I get compensated? Welcome your clarifications.
This is exactly the sort of stuff that I myself am complaining about - so me carlifying it for you is going to be difficult.