The African slave trade is one of the darkest chapters in world history. For more than 300 years, millions of African men, women, and children were taken from their homelands and forced into slavery. One of the biggest forces behind this terrible trade was the British monarchy. The kings and queens of Britain played a major role in supporting, protecting, and profiting from the slave trade. This article will explain how and why the monarchy was involved in slavery, how they benefited from it, and what their role means today.How the British Monarchy Supported the African Slave Trade
We will break the topic into three easy-to-understand sections:
- How the British monarchy got involved in the African slave trade
- How the monarchy made money from slavery
- The long-term effects of royal support for slavery
Section 1: How the British Monarchy Got Involved in the African Slave Trade
What Was the African Slave Trade?
The African slave trade was a system where African people were captured, sold, and shipped to other parts of the world—especially the Americas. There, they were forced to work on farms, in mines, and in households, without pay and without freedom. The journey across the Atlantic Ocean was called the Middle Passage, and it was often deadly.
Many European countries, including Portugal, Spain, France, and the Netherlands, took part in the slave trade. But Britain became one of the most powerful and richest players in this trade—and much of this was because of the support from the British monarchy.
The Start of Royal Involvement
The British monarchy’s support for slavery began as early as the 1500s under Queen Elizabeth I. She gave permission to English traders to take part in capturing and selling Africans. One of the first English slave traders was John Hawkins, who made three voyages between 1562 and 1568. Queen Elizabeth I not only allowed these trips but also invested in them.
In 1660, the slave trade became even more official. That year, King Charles II helped start the Royal African Company (RAC)—a company created to control Britain’s trade with West Africa. His brother, James, Duke of York (later King James II), was made the head of the company. Both Charles and James held shares in the RAC, and their involvement gave the company power and protection.
The Royal African Company
The Royal African Company became one of the main slave-trading companies in the world. Between 1672 and 1752, the RAC is estimated to have transported more than 150,000 enslaved Africans to the Americas. Many died during the journey, packed into tight, filthy ships.
The company’s coat of arms even showed an African man bound in chains, showing how deeply slavery was tied to royal power.
Kings and queens gave the company rights to trade and even military protection. British warships guarded slave ships from pirates. This kind of state support made it easier for the slave trade to grow.
The monarchy did not act alone, but its approval gave slavery the backing of the law and the church. When something is supported by a king or queen, it often becomes accepted by the rest of society.
How the British Monarchy Supported the African Slave Trade
Section 2: How the British Monarchy Made Money from Slavery
Slavery and the British Economy
Slavery was not just about owning people. It was also about making money. British traders, plantation owners, and shipbuilders got rich through the slave trade. But so did the monarchy. Kings and queens took shares in slave-trading companies and earned taxes and fees from slave-related business.How the British Monarchy Supported the African Slave Trade
The slave trade was part of what historians call the Triangular Trade:
- British ships carried goods (like cloth and guns) to Africa.
- These goods were traded for enslaved people.
- The slaves were taken to the Americas and sold.
- The ships returned to Britain with sugar, tobacco, cotton, and gold.
Every part of this triangle made money—and the monarchy got its share.
Royal Profits from Slave Products
The products grown by slaves—especially sugar and tobacco—became major goods in Europe. These products helped build British wealth, and royal families enjoyed the benefits.
For example:
- Taxes on sugar and tobacco went into the royal treasury.
- Royal lands in the Caribbean were used to grow crops with enslaved labor.
- British kings and queens often granted land in the colonies to wealthy families, who used enslaved people to make profits.
The royal family also owned shares in companies tied to slavery, like the South Sea Company, which was given the right to trade enslaved Africans in Spanish colonies. Monarchs earned dividends (payments) from these investments.
The British Royal Navy and Slave Protection
The monarchy also used the British Royal Navy to protect its economic interests. The Navy defended slave ships from attack and helped expand British colonies that relied on slave labor.
When uprisings or rebellions broke out among enslaved people in the colonies, the monarchy would send troops to stop them. This use of military force was another way the monarchy protected and supported slavery.
Section 3: The Long-Term Effects of Royal Support for Slavery
Lasting Damage in Africa
The slave trade deeply damaged Africa. Over 12 million people were taken from the continent. Families were torn apart, and many African societies were left weaker and poorer. Whole generations were lost.How the British Monarchy Supported the African Slave Trade
Because of royal support, the British slave trade continued for over 200 years, meaning the harm went on for centuries. Many African leaders who resisted slavery were removed or killed. Others were forced to work with European traders or risk invasion.
The loss of people also meant fewer farmers, builders, and leaders in African communities. This had long-term effects on African development and stability.
Wealth in Britain
At the same time, cities like Liverpool, Bristol, and London grew rich from slavery. Banks, schools, and even churches received donations from people who made their money through slave trading. The monarchy, with its royal estates and riches, grew alongside this wealth.
The effects are still seen today. Some royal buildings and art collections were paid for with money linked to slavery. Many statues and monuments in the UK celebrate people who helped build the empire—but they also supported slavery.
The royal family became symbols of wealth and power during the empire’s growth. Much of that power was built on the backs of enslaved Africans.
Calls for Justice and Apology
In recent years, many people have asked the British royal family to apologize for their role in slavery. Historians, activists, and African communities want recognition of the truth.
In 2023, King Charles III spoke publicly about the “appalling” history of slavery and showed support for further research into the monarchy’s links. But many believe that an apology and reparations are still needed.
There are also calls for schools to teach more about slavery and the monarchy’s role in it. People want to see memorials, museums, and even changes in how history is taught.
The British government and monarchy have begun to acknowledge the past, but many feel that more must be done.
Conclusion: Understanding the Royal Role in Slavery
The British monarchy was deeply involved in the African slave trade. From early queens like Elizabeth I to kings like Charles II and James II, royal support helped the trade grow. The monarchy made money from slave ships, plantations, and slave-produced goods. Their power helped protect and continue the system for over two centuries.
The African slave trade caused pain, loss, and suffering for millions. While the British monarchy grew rich and powerful, African societies were left broken and scarred. Even today, the effects of this history are still being felt.
Understanding this past is not about blaming one person or one family—it’s about recognizing the truth, learning from it, and choosing to do better. History should not be hidden. It should be told fully and honestly.
To learn more about the Royal African Company and Britain’s involvement in slavery, visit the National Archives: Britain and the Slave Trade.
