American Reacts to British Anti-Slavery Patrols - West Africa Squadron

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In this video I react to British anti-slavery patrols and the West Africa Squadron. I had previously learned a little about Britain's crusade against slavery, but I had no idea just how incredible the effort truly was.
The British Royal Navy and their West Africa Squadron were responsible for freeing an estimated 150,000 slaves in the early to mid 1800s. Many sailors gave their lives and Britain gave its time and wealth to the cause of freedom. I think this is something all Brits should be incredibly proud of.
Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed this reaction please give this video a thumbs up, share your thoughts in the comments and click the subscribe button to follow my journey to learn about my British and Irish ancestry.
👉 Original Video:
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[@tmac160]

Those of us who know the story are immensely proud of Britain's rôle in ending slavery and I hate being lectured on slavery by people who refuse to accept that Britain was a force for good and not the country that started it all. Slavery was everywhere in the world until Britain ended it at a huge national and human cost. 🇬🇧

[@markwolstenholme3354]

Yes, I remember learning about this at school.(1970s). The two pictures in this presentation of the slave ships with them all lay down shackled sticks in my mind. I absolutely agree with you.

[@malcolmhouston7932]

@@markwolstenholme3354 We also learned about this in Primary School in the late 40's and early 50's. WE were actually taken from School to Kingstone -upon-Hull where we visited the home of William Wilberforce who was instrumental in forcing through legislation in Parliament for the abolition of Slavery.

[@gaynor1721]

@@malcolmhouston7932 My parents were born in Kingston-upon-Hull, the birthplace of the abolitionist William Wilberforce. My late mother was a distant cousin of an American man named Col. Pren Metham who was a founder member of the Republican Party (1850) which opposed the Confederate (slave) States from joining the Union States and fought in the American Civil War on the side of the Union which brought about the end of slavery in the USA. Metham went on to witness the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865 and was the first man to jump onto the stage in pursuit of John Wilkes Booth (a member of the Booth acting family and a distant cousin of Cherie Blair).

[@Paul-hl8yg]

@@malcolmhouston7932 Kingston Upon Hull or just Hull known today is where i was born & live. Sir William Wilberforce was Member of Parliament for Hull. He was the person that got the abolition of slavery bill through Parliament after many years campaigning for it. His 110 ft tall monument stands proud in Hull to this day. Built only a few years after the abolition of 1833, the monument was built by 1835. That goes to show what we really thought about slavery back then & how proud Hull was of the great man. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@brendahuxtable8767]

I learned this at School , we were taught it was the British as in 1603 Scotland formally joined to form the United Kingdom by James 1st , I am very proud to be British unfortunately a lot British people do not learn about our History , 🇬🇧or speak other languages.

[@peterwilliamson5953]

this is one of the proudest moments in our history

[@larryjimbob]

It's time for us to stand up for what's right again 🙏🇬🇧♥️

[@CarloRossi54523]

@@larryjimbob Racial replacement?

[@larryjimbob]

@@CarloRossi54523 it's not about race it's about rights 🙏🇬🇧♥️

[@TheJaxxT]

As a Brit from England, I’m extremely proud of my country for this. Incredibly proud indeed

[@John1873--]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@lewistaylor1965]

As am I...I'm 57 and didn't know about it until I saw 'Sargon of Akkad's video on it a couple years ago....How sad is that

[@brucebartup6161]

We saved 160,000 at the end; transported about 3.5 million. Pride? Not guilt nor shame but something like resolve,; determination to do better , these I think would be healthi0er emotional reactions.

[@joeysausage3437]

Are you proud of your country's involvement in India?

[@John1873--]

@@joeysausage3437 we brought new products and built railroads to get them to people. This infrastructure allowed quicker travel of people and goods. India has been plagued by famine throughout history. With the development of rail networks, its easier to transport food to harder to reach areas. The Bengal famine, if that's what you were reaching to, was absolutely tragic. I wish we had done more, but that's totally irrelevant. I wasn't dealing with one of the worst crop failures in years, whilst the most destructive war in all of history, was in full swing. Talking of more recent events, we provided billions in aid from 2016 - 2021. Making it the 11th largest recipient of UK aid. Or were you only focusing on 1943?

[@JJ-of1ir]

The Royal Navy's fight to end slavery continued all through the greater part of the 20th Century. It's last patrol against slavery was in the 1970's when Oman finally gave up the slave trade. Other countries had ended their slavery in the 1960's, 1950's. Some just before the 2WW. Then Mauritania agreed to end slavery in 1981. Our Anti Slavery campaign had waged across more than 160 years. In some places slavery is rising again. The British Government announced, in 2015, that the last payment of Loans taken out for the anti slavery campaign had been paid. The people of the UK had willing paid higher taxes so that the Anti Slavery Campaign continued. So it meant that every single person that had paid taxes up to 2015 had the satisfaction of knowing they had also contributed to ridding the World of slavery.

[@robedwards4259]

I'm a proud British/English man and just want to say thank you for this reaction video telling the truth about how we ended the slave trade and finished paying back countries compensation we did affect in 2015. Check out the history of The H.M.S VICTORY also H.M.S BRITAIN 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@claregale9011]

William Wilberforce the man who headed the anti slave movement is laid to rest in westminster Abbey , a truly great man . Don't forget slavery has been going on for a very , very long time way before the Atlantic slave trade . Great video Steve .

[@crazynorm]

His house is down the road from me in Hull, now a museum :)

[@ratarsed666]

he was a great guy but his motivation was that he wanted to stop slavery so he could spread chistianity to africa he just replaced slavery for other types of oppresion destroying the culture of many african peoples....ironicly the bible was used by slavers as a excuse for slavery as the bible says slavery is ok and that you can beat your slaves as long as they don't die within a couple of days ......

[@eileentaylor1691]

we are a very proud nation regardless of people still blaming britian for slavery ....hope this gets through to people. so thank you for illuninating the truth!!!

[@rayrecrok]

No mention of William Wilberforce's work on ending slavery, he did a lot of the work to change minds about slavery, especially in Parliament, I was in William Wilberforce section at my school which was divided into 4 different persons of history, it was years after I left school I found out why he was famous.

[@malcolmhouston7932]

We visited his house in Hull from Primary School, on the banks of the Humber about 70 years ago.

[@Amy-fx5co]

I'm british and only learnt about this a few years ago, I can't understand why this isn't taught in schools

[@SteveBagnall-gh1fu]

It was in the sixties

[@geoffmelvin6012]

As well as the cost in human lives amongst the RN crews this was, certainly up till a couple of years ago, the largest peacetime expense in Britain's history. The compensation paid in the early 19th C and the ongoing cost thereafter was enormous.

[@MoA-Reload...]

We(the British Tax payer) finished paying off the debt of WW2 in 2006 which covers roughly the first 10yrs of my working and therefore tax paying life. The war on slavery? 2015 and quite frankly worth every penny 🤗

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

Without in any way justifying the slave trade anywhere by anyone, it must be remembered that Europeans were neither the first nor the last to enslave people. For example, in East Africa, my home, more powerful tribes enslaved members of defeated communities, and sold slaves to Arab slave traders, long before Europeans began colonising the region. Slavery existed from the dawn of recorded history, and actually ended in Europe before any other part of the world, other than Australasia.

[@kimberleyjanemcnab5343]

It was not just Britain but Europe as a whole that took part in the Trade Triangle. It was Britain that were the first to abolish it and actively stop slave ships in the ocean.

[@susansmiles2242]

If you want to check out shipbuilding in Britain have a look at the information on Henry VIII war ship The Mary Rose which was built in 1510 and was sunk in The Solent in 1545 The ship was discovered by underwater archeologists after many years of searching in 1971 and raised from the sea bed in 1982 The remains have now been preserved along with the many items found and are in a museum in Portsmouth

[@larryjimbob]

I've been to see her when she was still being sprayed with fresh water to leach out the salt from the timber.

[@joelpayne1193]

One man named Eqino who was ex slave who wrote his book about his experience about his life and when British people read the book, they were affected by what happened to him and it started fighting against slavery in Britain. It was huge impact on society.

[@ritapitt8273]

Such a good video...so proud of our Royal navy for putting their own life's on the line, which is why when people say that Britain should pay recompense for its involvement in the early slave trade, no one alive now had any involvement, and how does payment make that go away? It was a truly terrible time for slaves but its history and no amount of money can alter what happened.

[@thinkhappythoughts8098]

Love your work fella. The guy who made this vid is called 'Drachenifel' and is one of the greatest and most trusted naval historians on youtube. Superb choice of source material, good to see your journey for knowledge continuing in the best possible way. Any of his vids are really good for learning about ship building and ships, and would make great starting points.

[@mattsmith5421]

I have no idea how he remembers everything he knows about ships

[@thinkhappythoughts8098]

@@mattsmith5421 The depth of his knowledge is incredible

[@patrickpowers5995]

Where Britain is concerned on slavery we have an excellent record on most such. William the Conqueror prohibited the sale of any person to "heathens" (non-Christians) as slaves in 1080, (which country can predate that?) the Council of London banned the slave trade in 1102 and the UK Parliament passed an Act to abolish the slave trade across its empire in 1807. More than that Queen Victoria ensured that people from the Empire - notably India - were employed in the Palace. The late Queen Mother prevented a lot of bias and prejudice both against Jews and (especially of) black US troops in the UK through WW2 even though at times (before the excesses of Nazism) fascism was thought to be a good form of firm government at the time, one that combated the nonsense of anarchy and communism in the earlier few decades. She personally felt betrayed by Hitler who notably regarded her as his most potent adversary in England. In earlier times the establishment of empires was not only perfectly legal but it was practiced by many countries and it was supported and enhanced by religious attitudes of the day.. We would not attempt that today but that does not mean that we should flagellate ourselves because of it. In truth (as particularly in India) the establishment of English permitted for the first time groups and villages to talk to nearby settlements (in India's case often only a few tens of miles apart!) when previously they could not. We really should do more to celebrate our past today than some tend to do.

[@lloydcollins6337]

I agree with all your points but it's worth noting in the specific case of William the Conqueror he almost certainly passed the law because he wanted to get the revenue from the fines the law provided for, rather than the noble goal of actually stopping slavery. It's also worth noting that the law William passed only applied to selling slaves outside the Kingdom of England and didn't prevent slavery itself, nor sale within the Kingdom. William had a habit of running England like a massive money factory because he and his Norman horsebros just wanted to make a quick buck by conquering the country and extracting all the money and goods they could, so everything he does has to be seen in that context.

[@spudOSR]

Did the ban of slavery only apply to England or did it extend to wales and Scotland once the kingdoms were united under one ruler?

[@raverdeath100]

@@spudOSR Wales was never seperate in law from England after the Wars of succession so yes, it was banned. after the Union was formed, Scotland would have been subject to the same law (i'm pretty certain Scotland had already banned slavery at this point, being generally more progressive than England).

[@AlexanderLittlebears]

Now that you got the extinction of both your race and your culture are you satisfied?

[@ITzDaveXD]

@@lloydcollins6337 Who gave a flying F about "morals" when famine was a very real risk, he did something that led to the freedom of almost every country on the planet.

[@payne4047]

It was Britain who stood up and said it aint happening no more in a world where every nation was guilty off.. Britain deserves alot of respect.

[@janescott4574]

I love your channel. Your thirst for knowledge is admirable and can often inform us as well. Carry on sir!

[@reactingtomyroots]

Thanks Jane. I appreciate that.

[@Jimmy_Jones]

It's not the early ship building. But the first iron steamer was SS Great Britain. It crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1845. It's still docked in Bristol Harbour as a museum piece. I'm sure there are many videos on it. It was built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel who had a major influence on English railways bridges, tunnels and other projects. An interesting person to look into.

[@BarbaraGrosvenor]

Our country almost went bankrupt financing the anti-slavery patrols and it only ended in 2015 not to mention the men that died in the process. Britain paid £20.000.000 to compensate slave owners then a considerable amount. We need to remember that without the tribal chiefs, it would never have been possible.

[@michalsoukup1021]

The 2015 figure is a bit misleading, figures like this come by because of state issued bond being cashed out way after they were originally supposed to.

[@alanmillard1402]

The Channel that you just watched - Drachinifel - is a Navel history channnel and has videos covering ships and design up to 1950, with a fair few on the history of ship design as well as a lot on the design and history of individual ships and tours of museums ships. Generally Drachinifel is a go-to guy for all matters naval.

[@josm1481]

When Britain abolished it's slave trade about half a dozen African kingdoms complained! King Gezo of the Dahomey was on record saying he'd do anything the British asked but give up slavery. Britain signed about 50 anti slaving treatise with West African kingdoms and any that refused to stop got bombarded into stopping. The slave port of Lagos, Nigeria was one such location bombarded to stop slaving in 1851. Lagos renamed it's independence square after a local slave trader. You can see a statue of her there today. When the transatlantic slave trade had largely stopped, they diverted ships to East Africa to stop the Arab slave trade. They stopped patrolling East Africa in the 1970's. Look up the photos from the HMS Sphinx that captured Arab slavers in Oman and the sailors breaking off the chains of the African slaves in 1907?

[@enemde3025]

One of your fellow KZbinrs needs to look at this as well. Maybe she'll learn something !! 🤔 African born slave traders were selling off their OWN people long before Europeans started getting involved ! They were getting VERY rich on the back of slave trading. This needs to be taught in American schools !

[@bycromwellshelmet2369]

Also, the Arabs were heavily into the African slave trade long before Europeans, and, as I learned from Sargon of Akkad, performing double castration on the men, hence the ubiquitous Eunuchs of Arab women's quarters.

[@roddo1955]

Neocolonialism after the abolition should also be taught You know, so that people get the full picture. Those nations became very poor all of the sudden. But check what the main languages are in those African countries. And what the Brits, Belgians, French and Portuguese kept doing until quite recently.

[@angelabushby1891]

Wilberforce House in Hull Yorkshire had a replica of the slaves on a ship,it was horrific,William Wiberforce was heavily involved in the anti- slavery,he was a M.P for Hull you can visit his house in Hull,its a Museum now.

[@GallumArtemi]

they need to make movies about these guys honestly. they deserve some glory beyond a few youtube videos in the corners of the internet!

[@grahvis]

When I was at school in the UK in the 50s, the slave trade came into geography lessons, as well as in history. It was largely made possible by the ocean currents. From Europe down to West Africa, across to the Caribbean, up the east coast of the US and then back across the North Atlantic to Europe.

[@louisimission2153]

We're a great nation, with many gifts to the world - This one is My favourite. When Brittannia ruled the waves, We chose to free the slaves 🇬🇧 What a contribution to life on Earth, I marvel at My ancestors and honour them.

[@louisimission2153]

While that is true I resent You pissing on My bonfire. Its warmth keeps My heart from freezing

[@user-xu9ib9cd6d]

Rubbish. Read. Slavery lasted over 300 years. Why did it take such a long time for Slaves to be freed? It was a very profitable business. Slavery still continued after masters received compensation.

[@louisimission2153]

Whats rubbish?

[@user-xu9ib9cd6d]

Your ancestors were cruel people who hated blacks,. Your ancestors kidnapped blacks, tied their hands behind their backs,, packed them on a slave ship destination Caribbean,to work for free. Your ancestors raped and impregnated slaves. Your ancestors are still owing salaries to slaves. Your ancestors received compensation for Cruelty, brutality, inhumane treatment, beatings, rapes, your ancestors descendants are millionaires, royal family and David Cameron are examples. Your ancestors built Buckingham palace using free slave Labour. ,

[@williamstringer5873]

British citizens were at one time captured by Barbary pirates and sold into slavery in Morocco, the pirates would attach ships off the English coast and take the crew and passengers leaving the ship behind, they also raided coastal towns taking townspeople into captivity for the slave trade, one man did escape and made it back home to his home in Cornwall in the 1700's he later wrote a book of his story which can still be purchased. His name was Thomas Pellow.

[@angelabushby1891]

Vikings took slaves from Britain when they raiders our soares.

[@somniumisdreaming]

I'm so proud to have you as our American cousin/brother. We love America, it has some faults like our country but have stood with us in times of need and have so many great people there and is such a beautiful, beautiful country. SO many decent people died in both countries fighting for the moral right and ending slavery. What a horrible stain on the world's past that we both (eventually) corrected and I'm proud that we did.

[@dangermouse9348]

Britain has always been a maritime nation. Our defence, until today, has always relied on our "Wooden Walls". We were the pre-eminent naval force until around WWII. Yes, we used that force for colonial expansion, but we also used it to end slavery. At great cost to ourselves. A bill not paid off until 2015. Modern slavery is a far greater threat than the African slave trade. If anyone wants to talk about slavery, feel free. Just don't expect reparations from us, the British. We already paid our bill in full.

[@elizabethmcintyre8529]

You go there get them told good on you

[@geekexmachina]

It gets convieniently forgotten that slavery was world wide for thousands of years in one form or another. Some people pretend that in some civilisations it was all by agreement or they were treated well etc. but it does miss the point. Even beyond that serfdom was pretty bad (you can find videos about how the Black Death helped put an end to serfdom in its older form). In the end the Enlightenment helped change things, partly by changing how people thought about other people and their value, but also by developing science and technology (and education). It became progressively easier to accomplish things without manual labour, and required education to do more complex tasks.If you are interested in the history of slavery there are good videos regarding the Slavic people being taken in early centuries CE.

[@lloydcollins6337]

Slavery is still going now sadly - it's mostly underground but some Arabic nations still have "unofficial" slaves and slavery isn't stamped on as heavily as it should be.

[@seanrobsob8883]

Royal navy. Leys have a drink for these guys. Heroes

[@DruncanUK]

If you are interested in British warships of the past you should look into "The Mary Rose". This was Henry VIII's favourite ship that sank in 1545 and was raised again in 1982 with over 19,000 artifacts recovered. This single ship advanced our knowledge of the time immensely, particularly the weapons and equipment the troops carried. It is a fascinating subject to explore.

[@lloydcollins6337]

It is particularly interesting because it sank in the time when transition was happening from medieval fighting styles to renaissance/early gunpowder styles. The ship had hundreds of archers on board as well as gunpowder cannons and some early arquebuses (muskets). The fighting style was changing in this period from the idea of bringing your ship alongside that of the enemy and then trying to storm their castles on the boat (focsle is a shortening of "forecastle" - ships would have built up areas at the front and back in the style of wooden castles) to the idea of sinking ships with gunfire.

[@betawan3195]

mary rose ,cutty sark and golden hinde were 3 i remember learning about altho cutty sark wasnt a warship it played a huge role in transport ,agrees it is a fascinating subject

[@betawan3195]

@@lloydcollins6337 the transition period is something ive been thinking about for a while now , the fact or even reasons that everyone built castles before it is really interesting

[@johngibbard8792]

I think it's worth mentioning that in 2021 there were approximately 13000 victims of slavery in the UK. The figure in the USA is 400000.

[@TheHarrip]

All of whom in the UK are enslaved by foreign nationals, migrants with different cultures. Also important to recognise.

[@rogermann9835]

I thought I recognised Drachinifel's voice in this clip! He is a British Naval Historian, and has long been the Internet's go-to man for anything to do with warships and war at sea, from Antiquity to the present century. His channel is well worth subscribing to. It's true that slavery is a blot on the escutcheon of the United States -- several of its Founding Fathers were slave owners, most notably Washington who continued to buy slaves even after he became President: and while his treatment of his slaves was humane by the standards of the day, he didn't go so far as giving them (or their wives and children) their freedom. Sure, he did so in his will; but that always reminds me of Luther's remark that this is not generosity, it is merely disposing of something one no longer owns or has any use for.

[@christineharding4190]

The Portugese transported the most slaves but slavery was in full swing in Africa long before the Europeans arrived. Slavery in Africa was considered a matter of pride - getting one over on the enemy. Arabs had already been taking slaves from Africa for over a thousand years. Of course, what is little known is the number of people that were taken from Ireland and the South West of England by Barbary pirates from north Africa and taken back there. English communities would collect monies for the purpose of trying to buy back the people taken. Obviously that was not always possible. Some black people today demand reparation but they don't understand that they would have to start with African countries like Nigeria before getting onto the European countries. Modern day slavery still insists.

[@phueal]

The Portuguese transported the most slaves, just ahead of…?

[@gillcawthorn7572]

@@phueal Christine Harding`s statement stands without any addition .

[@phueal]

@@gillcawthorn7572 it does. Just like all this other stuff about Britain ending slavery. It stands on its own, by removing all the context. It tells the truth, but not the whole truth.

[@andersmorell5396]

Thank you for your reaction. Given your question I searched the Drachinifel channel for British ship building but it is such a broad topic depending on perspective, time period and types of ships. I suggest you simply ask Drach if he can give you any good sources or suggest/create a dedicated video on the subject.

[@jaccilowe3842]

To paraphrase the words of another video about this topic...When England held the reins of world power, this is what she did with it.

[@annemariefleming]

Sargon's video is brilliant. I always recommend it as a companion to other anti-slavery pieces.

[@frglee]

A KZbin tour of HMS Victory might be of interest to you - I remember one of them from an American perspective with American Navy ratings being given a tour round the ship. Another bit of naval history on KZbin that might be of interest is the story of when an American ship attacked British shipping in British waters and even attacked an English port (Whitehaven) in the American Revolutionary War in 1788, under the command of the Scottish-American, John Paul Jones (regarded as one of the Fathers of the American Navy).

[@John-rf4sv]

We all bleed the same and share a common ancestors 🇬🇧

[@wallythewondercorncake8657]

When you say "early British ship building", how early do you have in mind? As an island nation, there's a lot of maritime history

[@katydaniels508]

This is a great reaction, thank you. I’m only familiar with the squadron from your previous video, so it’s great to learn more

[@reactingtomyroots]

Thanks Katy. It's a shame that we aren't taught this stuff in school.

[@DoomsdayR3sistance]

In School, I learnt about the Triangle, in the UK. Where I grew up was a small town on the major route between London and Bristol, a lot of merchants were travelling back and forth between London and Bristol as Bristol was a major port city for trade to/from America, so was also involved in the Triangle. This also led to the route gaining a lot of highwaymen. Later, Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Great Western Railway would connect the two cities with some extremely impressive bridges, tunnels and stations around for the time.

[@zawierk]

There was a huge slave market on the East Coast of Africa and British pressure shut it down. The Zanziibar market closedin 1873. The Royal Navy also patrolled the East Coast of Africa. British troops also landed in Dahomey 1840-1860s trying to suppress the slave trade. British troops fought Arab slave traders in Nyassaland 1885-1898.

[@zawierk]

The Africa squadron 1820-1880 consisted of a minimum of 25 ships for both the French and British navy. The U.S. had a minimum of 5-8 ships and joined the squadron in the mid 1840s.

[@steveg2288]

Thank you Steve - we definitely need some friends in the US to stick up for us when all we hear is blame for the whole slave trade and no mention of what we did to end it and the price we paid for that. If you have an interest in naval history you should look into the life of Lord Nelson - possibly England's greatest hero - who was shot and killed at the battle of Trafalgar. He did more than anyone to stop Napoleon's conquest of Europe and much of the world. It is he who looks out over London from Nelson's column in Trafalgar Square which was named in his honour. His funeral at St Paul's Cathedral was the largest the country had ever seen other than for a monarch. It's a good topic to cover on your channel.

[@stephenmowatt]

PROUD TO BE BRITISH

[@user-xu9ib9cd6d]

With gems in your museums. Slaves built Buckingham palace. So be proud !

[@znerolz]

share the original video on every social media you know! the people have to know, since it seems that they have forgotten.

[@johnlewis734]

Cheers for your comment and honestly 🇬🇧🇺🇲🍻

[@dzzope]

IIRC, the aiti-slavery patrol was pioneered by just a couple of captains from the Royal Navy.. unsure of the details but prety sure they were the driving force of ending slavery internationally. There is a great/terrible story during WWII where some servicemen were being served by locals in the pub and the military police were called as they weren't being segregated. Look up the battle of Bamber Bridge.. Really interesting Drachinifel would be a good starting point on naval engineering up to WWII.. mainly deals with their history but there are some very lengthy videos which cover various naval engineering challanges. 160,000 saved directly and the infrastructure which made the trade possible, dismatled hopefully forever.. Countless people saved from slavery.

[@almor2445]

A Navy man once explained the triangle to me. If you drop a bottle in the water near the Canary Islands (North West Africa) it floats to the West Indies where Columbus landed first. If you travel up to the East Coast of the US then drop the bottle, it will end up in Bristol Docks. That's why the triangle existed. It was so much easier to travel with the currents and flows than against them. So the ships picked up trade goods that were common in each place and sold them where they were most expensive. English goods to Africa. African Slaves to the Americas. Cotton, Sugar and Tobacco to the UK.

[@emmsue1053]

Thank you for your curiosity & intelligence, so many more people should be aware.

[@blacksheep3463]

I live in the Welsh valleys in the south And there was a rental holiday home next door .. and people came from everywhere to see wales, Australian, chinese, the list goes on

[@grumpynanny7402]

I was taught in school all about the anti slavery fight. Look up David Livingstone. He lived near me when I was young and were really proud.

[@dee2251]

To hear some speak, you’d think it was only Britain who was responsible for slavery. We were stopping it when most countries, including Africa, wanted to carry on because it was so lucrative. They also negate to mention that Brit’s were enslave by The Barbary Pirates and I believe there was 1.5 million Europeans enslaved by the Barbary pirates. British mill workers also downed tools and refused to work with cotton picked by slaves, prompting a letter of thanks from President Lincoln. It cost this nation dearly to fight the slave trade.

[@myview5840]

Having a portrait painted was a commision, these are expensive and not common for the average person of the time.

[@brian9731]

The inhuman regard for the captured people being transported is still a thing today. I heard a report of a construction site in the Middle East where an "imported" worker fell to his death from the building. When the British workers immediately rushed to report this horrific occurrence, they were told, "It's OK, we'll get you another."

[@alpine_newt]

Britain's proudest moment.

[@robholloway6829]

At its height, the West Africa Squadron was the third largest Naval force in the world. The "British Project" remains the greatest endeavour of any nation on Earth, despite the prevailing idea that the British Empire was an actively racist and oppressive force. Until the United Kingdom decided that slavery was wrong, all peoples on earth believed it to be a natural state of affairs and even a source of pride. Britain, therefore, decided to end slavery by force at great cost and change humanity's attitude for the better.

[@JohnnyNorfolk]

Over 2000 Royal Navy men died in trying to end slavery.

[@cuthalin4976]

As part of the triangle, the sailors would be used for the first and most of the second leg. However, as they approached the colonies to deliver the slaves, the crews rations were reduced and given to the slaves to "Fatten them up" . Crew dicipline was made much harsher and on arrival some would be sacked, or just abandoned. As all crew got paid once back in their home port, this meant that the owners of the boats and Captains would make more money !

[@halvankoutrik4511]

The amount of money spent on the campaign was so high, British taxs payers didn't Finnish paying it off till 2015

[@sandacathan9787]

We lost thousands of sailors and Marines in the process of capturing the slave ships. Yet …. yet we still get the blame and I am heartily offended by people who don’t read history before opening their mouths ! No-one criticises the French or the Spanish, or even the American slave traders. Time to put the record straight and the blame where it belongs.

[@dogwithwigwamz.7320]

That`s a hell of a compliment Steve. Thanks very much.

[@jakewright4394]

It makes me wander why they dont teach this is our own schools - they should do! -Its a very important time in british history and something for us to be really proud off - there is times to be humble and modest - this is not one of those things we should not be humble and modest about but really proud off! on a side note i couldnt help but chuckle when he said "england was at war with everyone else!" always be mindful of the anglos rising XD

[@malcolmhouston7932]

We were taught it in Primary Schools 70 years ago. Why not tell a teenager whilst they still know everything?

[@Ericshadowblade]

Its knowing history like this that lets me laugh in the face of every one who cries that the uk should give reperations for the slave trade. We didnt finnish paying off all the anti slave wars till 2014

[@shaggybaggums]

Yeah, we get criticised for buying the freedom of those whose owners would cooperate, and we get vilified for going to war with those that wouldn't. I hate to think what they'd call us if we'd gone with option three and let it keep going like everybody else did. Add that to the concepts and technologies we introduced around the world, a lot of which helped build modern western civilisation and the nice relatively comfy society that allows them to complain so much in the first place, and it gets a bit annoying to be blamed for everything just for being British.

[@lynnblaircurrens9097]

Take a look at the history for Glasgow (my city) as it was found on slaves and tabacco as the street in Glasgow get there names from it unfortunately for example: Glassford Street Named after John Glassford, a wealthy tobacco baron who owned plantations in Virginia and Maryland Oswald Street Opened 1817, is named for James Oswald of Shieldhall Dunlop Street Named after tobacco merchant Colin Dunlop of Carmyle. Dennistoun Named by Alexander Dennistoun in 1861 to the area of land he laid out near Alexandra Park. Alexander's father James was a leading cotton merchant Plantation Named as such by merchant John Robertson in 1783, who had sugar and cotton plantations in the West Indies Buchanan Street Named after Andrew Buchanan, who was one of the first Scots to have tobacco plantations in the New World, with major holdings in Virginia Ingram Street Named after his Archibald Ingram, who made his fortune with slave-owning tobacco plantations in the east coast of America

[@johnsmith-de9wv]

Steve, the man you should read about is Admiral Cochrane , a man who ,for the time out adventured James Bond to a very high degree ,he made the african fleet a huge success ,what a fantastic bloke.!!!

[@reactingtomyroots]

He sounds interesting. Thanks for the recommendation. :)

[@whiskers1776]

Sadly this is not taught in schools we are accused of being an evil British empire wanting us to apologise and pay reparations

[@susansmiles2242]

I completely agree This really is something that should be taught in schools especially in the current climate

[@payne4047]

Its by disign. Hide it so we can open our borders to anyone and if British people say anything we can call them racist and shut down and silence people. Its on purpose.

[@phueal]

They’re not mutually exclusive. Our empire had plenty of evils, and perhaps an apology and reparations would be appropriate. And we had some good points too, including the crusade to end slavery. We’re weren’t angels, and we weren’t devils. You can teach about how around 30% of the Africans transported across the Atlantic were transported by British merchants, funded by the British government and British elites, and protected by the Royal Navy. And in the next lesson you can teach about how we abolished it before most other nations and actively tried to stamp it out.

[@kellieprice8776]

Normal English folk helped too I remember the weavers in Manchester I think refusing to work slave cotton forcing change

[@michelleclarke8264]

You are quite correct Steve when you raise the negative comments and criticisms made of the United Kingdom and the United States. We just want peace and freedom, not just for ourselves, but for everyone.

[@catherinewilkins2760]

To put the issue into context, not many people were aware of the slave trade in the 18th century. Communication with the colonies improved and the horror of the trade was shared. The Quakers started to take action and actively began to fight against the trade, as well as supporting legal action. As it gained momentum in our Country, efforts were being made to get legislation through Parliament. Members of Parliament were initially not supporting changes but their minds were changed by the support of the people. In the middle of the Napoleonic war this matter gained traction. This legislation was slow in coming as there were conflicts of interest. But come it did. So the words, no taxation without representation, has a hollow ring. As all colonies knew this was going to become law. It took time for people to get the like minded MPs elected. Not all people had a vote in our County back then. But they succeeded in electing enough who would support their , long fought, endeavours. William Wilberforce being the MP who led the fight. About 50 years from the start of the campaign to a successful outcome.

[@user-ps9vh8mp3h]

Keep your videos coming Steve, I enjoy them. This one is particularly important though mate, there were good works done in the 1800's, people should have all the facts, not just the headlines, good work chap!

[@oozaru248]

the story of queen at live aid why was it so perfect

[@vaughanellis7866]

This was a common thing to learn about in UK schools in History class before the 'trendy' teachers started in UK schools in the late 70's, once those teachers started all of the positive parts of British History were muddied over and only the negatives taught. That is why a lot of adults in the UK do not know the History of their country and swallow the propaganda pushed by BLM and others.

[@Steve_W27]

I’m 46, English born and bred and reasonably well educated. I only learned of all this a few months ago and the sense of pride and emotion that this brought to me was astounding.

[@user-xu9ib9cd6d]

Well said. Black history is barely taught in UK schools

[@mattgeorge9399]

You're right to feel proud Steve !!! Just think, all this happened when your Ancestors were British so they were part of this too which kind of makes you part of it also, if you get me 👍 Sadly, none of this is taught in Schools and hasn't been for decades. My "High School" years (76 - 81) we had a whole Term (12 weeks of 2 hour lessons per week) learning about the "Triangle Trade", Slave purchase, Slave selling, Planatation working, so on and so forth but absolutely nothing about the West African Squadron and only 1 week on the abolition of tge Trade itself. So, anyone under the age of 60 in the UK (I'm 58) knows very little about the British endeavours to end this vile stain on Humanity or the reluctance & cunning of other Nation to it's continuence. This is exactly the time to be Teaching our Kids to be proud of what can be achieved but sadly that is not happening due to political capture & dogma but we'll leave that topic for ulanother day..... If yer interested in Royal Naval ship contruction check out HMS Victory (Lord Admiral Nelson's warship) This one will blow you away 👍kzbin.info/www/bejne/an_VYnSdfsuUoKs Thanks for a great diverse channel Mate, Cheers 👍😎🎩

[@Jamie_D]

We've have had a sketchy past in many ways, but glad we were the first or among the first to genuinely fight against this.

[@iainsan]

More British people would be proud of it if they knew about it. Sadly, it hasn't been taught in schools for decades. It's not politically correct to learn about white people helping black people anymore.

[@JJ-of1ir]

Suggestion for ships 'How an 18th Century Sailing Battleship Works' by Animagraff. It's 3D & based on Nelson's ship Victory, built in 1765.

[@reactingtomyroots]

Thanks for the recommendation.

[@doubledigital_]

amazing grace look it up u will find it very interesting indeed.

[@lewistaylor1965]

''The British Royal Navy and the Collapse of the Atlantic Slave Trade'' on KZbin is a great lecture on this subject by american Lt. Col. Dave Blair (USAF)...It is over an hour long and the chap has flu but it's really good lecture I've watched several times...

[@archercolin6339]

To quote Carl Benjamin (whose video may have been the one you saw) - "When Britain held the reigns of world power THIS is what we did with it!"

[@siouxsioux2725]

Excellent reaction. Speak it Say it loud and pass it on

[@malpa2345]

The media, on television and the schools won’t mention this

[@wallythewondercorncake8657]

I saw a picture on Twitter yesterday showing a British sailor sawing the chains off a slave after intercepting a slave ship. This was off the coast of east Africa in 1903.

[@SteveBagnall-gh1fu]

Britain has always, until 1980 had a navy that policed the waves across the word, now we have a relatively small nathans to inadequate governments. Today with intercontinental missiles, a navy is basically, pointess.

[@paulmurphy5648]

What a pity the Left and certain activists have stopped the real history of slavery being taught in the UK. I saw those pictures of slaves literally stuffed into ships when I was in Junior school in the 1970's. We also went to the Wilberforce House Museum in Hull. The museum tells the story of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and its abolition, as well as dealing with contemporary slavery.

[@coldbreeze6344]

Its only us true patriots who are proud of it those who keep saying we demand repsrations need to learn history and be thankfull they are no longer slaves but free men and woman they should be praising us not calling us names. They also forget British people was once slaves to the Romans, Vikings and others

[@fredcollins9953]

The money the government borrowed to free the slaves was only finally paid off in 2015 so some of my taxes paid to abolish slavery.

[@MoA-Reload...]

ooo, that's Drachinifel. The history Teacher we all wish we'd had in school... well at least for Naval History 🤗I love his content. Highly recommend his videos on the Russian 2nd Pacific Squadron during the Russo-Japanese war and I also strongly recommend his telling of the Battle of Samar with Taffy 3 facing off against IJN Center force which was Yamato AND her escorts. As for Royal Navy specifically, most of Drach's content is around WW1&2 era. There's the obvious HMS Victory and HMS Hood but perhaps the most legendary ship that really earned her legend status after Victory is HMS Warspite, a ship that not many know much about but her story is insane. A lot of his stuff that covers the likes of the Battle of Denmark straight, Battle of Jutland and the likes are quite a bit longer. Battle of Jutland is in 4 parts iirc.

[@madcyclist58]

@Reacting To My Roots 21:40 it isn't taught at all; on the contrary, it's more likely that it's suppressed as it doesn't fit with the current narative of viewing the whole of British History negatively.

[@tracydavison798]

In 1833 we spent 40% of entire gdp on buying freedom and patrolling . We finished paying this debt off in 2014

[@clivechandler8817]

Steve I know you like the British countryside. If you like maybe you could watch a driving video of (carding mill valley and the long mynd) in shropshire England. you don't have to review it but you might enjoy it. Just a suggestion for your spare time.

[@xFODDERx]

Problem is the voice of lies is louder than the voice of truth

[@lynnblaircurrens9097]

Glasgow was known for it ship building along the river Clyde

[@grahamsangster1042]

I had old family documents going back to 1812,most of my family were seemingly great grandmaster masons and some even my father had links to the Navy,i wonder if they had any to do with the Navy back in the day tho

[@johnsmith-de9wv]

Peter the Great ,the tsar of Russia wanted a navy so he learnt from the bottom up ,he went to Woolich london and apprenticed himself to a master shipwright ,what a story !!

[@TrogART]

Yes I hate the fact our country is forever attached and branded as a colonial power and that we should be ashamed of who we were, when the entirety of history every nation in the world was and has been involved in things that are reprehensible by todays standards, but this nation the English nation is the only one that did so many wonderful things around the world, introducing laws and a culture that changed the world forever, for the better I will add. it's ideals and laws that were ultimately something that the entire world benefits from today. Then when you consider that on top of that the entire world was involved in the slave trade and had been for thousands of years, England ended this! Every nation has things to be ashamed of, not many have things that changed the world for the better!

[@adeparkerjp]

Many Americans ive met believe they ended the slave trade. The truth is America and France eventually joined the British when the job was almost done. I am very proud but at the same time disappointed that the World forgot that The Brits used one fith of their national income to end slavery and the people of Great Britain were 100% behind it celebrating in news of slave boats captured. We deserve some respect for this

[@joeysausage3437]

Keep dreaming. The brits did something worse. You know, causing indigenous people to kill each other to benefit themselves. Get off your high horse. Edit- You deserve no respect. Look at your museums... FILLED WITH STOLEN EXHIBITS.