The Captain and the crew, The crew and the slaves, the slaves among themselves, and the views that people on the outside (America and Britain) had of the slave ships.
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The four dramas used in "The Slave Ship" by Marcus Rediker are the drama of the enslaved, the drama of the sailors, the drama of the captains and investors, and the drama of the abolitionists and resistance. These dramas help to provide a multifaceted view of the transatlantic slave trade and its impact on various groups involved.
William Wilberforce was a British politician and philanthropist who campaigned tirelessly for the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. John Newton, a former slave ship captain turned abolitionist, influenced Wilberforce with his personal account of the brutality of the slave trade. Together, their efforts led to the passing of the Slave Trade Act of 1807, which abolished the transatlantic slave trade in the British Empire.
The story of John Newton teaches us about redemption and transformation. Newton's experience of being a slave ship captain who later became an abolitionist and preacher shows the power of personal growth and change. It also serves as a reminder that it's never too late to seek forgiveness and make amends for past wrongdoings.
No, William Wilberforce did not own slaves. He was a British politician and leading abolitionist in the movement to end the transatlantic slave trade. He dedicated much of his life to the cause of abolishing slavery in the British Empire.
Slaves were packed tightly on board ships to maximize profits for slave traders by fitting as many individuals as possible in a confined space. This inhumane and brutal treatment of slaves was a way to increase the number of slaves transported while minimizing costs for the traders.
Slave trade ships were known to have foul odors due to overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and the presence of human waste, sickness, and death. The smell would have been a combination of sweat, vomit, feces, urine, and the overall stench of suffering and despair.