Significant decrease

Definition

A significant decrease refers to a notable reduction in a quantity, value, or rate, often observed in historical contexts regarding population, trade, or economic indicators. In the context of the slave trade, this term captures the dramatic decline in the number of enslaved individuals being forcibly transported across the Atlantic, reflecting changing social attitudes, economic factors, and legislative efforts aimed at abolishing the practice.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The transatlantic slave trade saw a significant decrease in shipments during the early 19th century due to growing abolitionist sentiment and legislation.
2. The British Parliament passed the Slave Trade Act in 1807, which made it illegal to engage in the slave trade within the British Empire, leading to a sharp decline in the number of enslaved Africans transported.
3. By the mid-19th century, various nations began implementing laws that curtailed or abolished slavery altogether, contributing to further reductions in slave populations.
4. Despite efforts to decrease the slave trade, illegal trafficking persisted for decades after abolitionist laws were enacted, although overall numbers were significantly lower.
5. Economic shifts, such as the rise of wage labor and changes in agricultural practices, also played a role in diminishing reliance on enslaved labor.

Review Questions

• How did changing societal attitudes contribute to the significant decrease in the slave trade during the early 19th century?
  • Changing societal attitudes towards slavery were driven by moral arguments from abolitionists who highlighted the inhumanity of slavery. These views gained traction among influential groups and led to increased public support for anti-slavery legislation. As more people became aware of the brutal realities of slavery and advocated for human rights, it created a political climate conducive to significant legal reforms that reduced and eventually ended the transatlantic slave trade.
• Evaluate the impact of legislative actions on the significant decrease of enslaved individuals transported across the Atlantic.
  • Legislative actions like the British Slave Trade Act of 1807 were crucial in causing a significant decrease in enslaved individuals being transported across the Atlantic. By outlawing the trade within British territories, this law not only decreased shipments but also inspired other nations to follow suit. The subsequent implementation of similar laws worldwide illustrated how legislative measures could effectively combat human trafficking and alter economic practices centered on slavery.
• Assess the long-term implications of the significant decrease in the slave trade on both Africa and the Americas during the 19th century.
  • The long-term implications of the significant decrease in the slave trade were profound for both Africa and the Americas. In Africa, communities faced demographic shifts and disruptions due to reduced slave exports, leading to changes in social structures and economic practices. Conversely, in the Americas, as reliance on enslaved labor diminished due to abolitionist movements and economic transitions towards wage labor systems, societies began restructuring their economies. This shift ultimately laid groundwork for social changes and conflicts that would arise from newly emerging labor systems post-abolition.

Related terms

Abolitionism: The movement advocating for the end of slavery and the slave trade, which gained momentum in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Middle Passage:

The horrific sea journey undertaken by enslaved Africans transported to the Americas, characterized by overcrowding, disease, and high mortality rates.

Slave Codes: Laws enacted in various colonies and states that defined the status of enslaved individuals and outlined their rights (or lack thereof), impacting the dynamics of the slave trade.