Liverpool slave trade

The trade developed in the eighteenth century, as Liverpool slave traders were able to supply fabric from Manchester to the Caribbean islands at very competitive prices.

Liverpool was transformed from "not much more than a fishing village" due to an extensive rise in the manufacturing of textiles, iron, and firearms and gunpowder.

The local government, the Liverpool Corporation, was unusual for its time because of its financial strength and it invested or £1 million in 6 new docks during the 18th century.

[8] Liverpool's growth as a slave trade port was caused by locational advantages, at time of war, Bristol and London ships would have to sail closer mainland Europe before making a crossing to North America and the West Indies, in contrast Liverpool ships could sail North of Ireland after leaving port.

Until 1765 the island had tax free status, allowing Dutch East Indiamen vessels to warehouse goods that could then be picked up by Liverpool ships for onward travel into the Atlantic ocean without paying landing fees to the UK government.

A third reason for Liverpool's ascendency in the slave trade was the cities close proximity to the industrialising North of England.

However it further stipulated that "all his Majesty's subjects, who shall trade to or from any of the ports or places of Africa, between Cape Blanco, and the Cape of Good Hope, shall for ever hereafter be a body corporate and politick, in name, and in deed, by the name of The Company of Merchants trading to Africa".

The act then created an organisational outline for the African Company of Merchants based around the localities of London, Bristol and Liverpool.