Available online
Description
This programme examines the slave trade from its Spanish origins to its continuation by the English and its eventual end.
This programme examines the slave trade from its Spanish origins to its continuation by the English and its eventual end.
| Module code and title: | A202, The age of revolutions |
|---|---|
| Item code: | A202; 16 |
| First transmission date: | 11-09-1972 |
| Published: | 1972 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:22:36 |
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| Producer: | Alasdair Clayre |
| Contributors: | John Ferguson; James Walvin |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Slave trade; Slavery |
| Footage description: | James Walrin introduces the programme. Over shots of 15th century map of Africa he recounts the early exploration of Africa by the Portuguese. James Walrin describes Spanish treatments of the indigenous population of the areas discovered by Columbus. Short quotation from Columbus on the nature of the natives. Many shots of engravings illustrating the Spaniards treatment of the Indians. James Walrin describes Spain's entry (invention) into the transportation of slaves from Africa to the West Indies. Short quotations from contemporary official reports Shots of engravings of Indian massacre and of Africans in West Indies. Walrin describes England's entry into the slave trade; a quotation from Hakluyt is read over portrait of John Hawkins. The development of England's West Indian empire is described over shots of contemporary chart. The growth of the slave trade is described. Shots of lists of slaves imported into Jamaica are shown. Quotations from lawyers exemplify the English treatment of the slaves; shots of slaves in the hands of their English owners. The Zong massacre is recounted; Lord Mansfield's judgment is read over shots of Mansfield's statue. The face of the statue dissolves as the judgment is read out. Portrait of Equiano (Gustavus Vassa) A long quotation detailing Equiano's capture and journey to the slave port is read by Gordon Tialobi. Shots of Turner's 'The slave ship.' Portrait of John Newton. Contemporary loading diagrams of slave ships (l8th century). Short quotations from Newton's journals describing conditions for the slaves on board the vessels. Mortality rate of the slaves on the voyage. Lengthy quotation from Equiano's autobiography describing voyage conditions. Drawings of interior of vessel with slaves. Quotation from John Newton's log concerning an abortive insurrection by the slaves while at sea. Description of the punishments. Contemporary drawings shown. Two further quotations from Equiano's autobiography, containing the description of conditions for the slaves on the voyage and also of the sale of slaves on arrival at Barbados. James Walrin gives details of the approximate total figure of slaves taken and exported to the West Indies during the slave trade. James Walrin describes conditions on the plantations. Shots of slaves working in the fields. The difficulties of the humanitarians are portrayed and slave policy in the West Indies contrasted with that of the U.S.A. Shots of massacres and punishments. Drawings of slaves by William Blake are also shown. Shots of abandoned sugar plantations. James Walrin describes the decline of the sugar trade. He sketches the progress of the abolitionists and suggests economic reasons as being also of some importance in the decline of slavery and the slave trade and their eventual aboltion. John Ferguson sketches the history of the activities of the abolitionists. Quotations (short) are made from Newton's journal. |
| Master spool number: | 6LT/70401 |
| Production number: | 00521_2332 |
| Videofinder number: | 2526 |
| Available to public: | no |
