Why were so many Africans enslaved? Source 1

A defence of the slave trade by Colonel Tarleton. Taken from The Debate on a Motion for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, 1791.

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Your task in this case study is to investigate the reasons why Africans were enslaved. All the sources have been chosen to help your investigation. Once you have read this source, try to record some of your thoughts on the worksheet.

Things to consider...

What reasons does Tarleton give to justify the slave trade?

According to Tarleton, why are slaves needed in the West Indies?

Does this source tell you anything about how people thought about slaves?

How does this source help you understand why some people thought that slavery was acceptable?