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James DeWolf and the Rhode Island Slave Trade: A Dark Chapter in American Heritage

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James DeWolf, A Prominent Rhode Island Slave Trader James DeWolf And The Rhode Island Slave Trade (American Heritage)

James DeWolf and the Rhode Island Slave Trade (American Heritage)

by James Dale Davidson

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5073 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	161 pages

The transatlantic slave trade was one of the darkest chapters in human history, and James DeWolf was one of its most notorious participants. A wealthy merchant and shipowner from Rhode Island, DeWolf played a key role in the transportation of tens of thousands of enslaved Africans to the Americas.

Early Life and Career

James DeWolf was born in Bristol, Rhode Island, in 1764. His father was a successful merchant and shipowner, and DeWolf followed in his footsteps. He began his career trading in goods such as rum, sugar, and molasses. However, it was his involvement in the slave trade that would make him one of the wealthiest men in Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island Slave Trade

Rhode Island was a major center of the transatlantic slave trade. Between 1700 and 1808, more than 100,000 enslaved Africans were brought to the colony. Newport and Bristol were the two busiest slave ports in Rhode Island, and DeWolf was one of the leading slave traders in both cities.

DeWolf's slave ships made dozens of voyages to Africa, where they purchased enslaved people for sale in the Americas. The conditions on these ships were horrific. The slaves were packed into tight quarters below deck, where they were often subjected to beatings, disease, and malnutrition.

Once the ships arrived in the Americas, the slaves were sold at auctions. DeWolf's slaves were sold in ports throughout the Americas, including Newport, New York, Charleston, and Havana.

The Legacy of James DeWolf

James DeWolf died in 1835 a wealthy man. He had made his fortune on the suffering of thousands of enslaved Africans. His legacy is a reminder of the dark history of the transatlantic slave trade and the role that Rhode Island played in it.

Today, there are growing calls for reparations for the descendants of enslaved Africans. Some people believe that the Rhode Island slave trade should be recognized as a crime against humanity, and that the state should pay reparations to the descendants of its victims.

James DeWolf was a complex figure. He was a successful businessman who played a key role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, he was also a slave owner who profited from the exploitation of others.

The legacy of James DeWolf is a reminder of the dark history of the transatlantic slave trade and the need to confront its lasting legacy.

James DeWolf and the Rhode Island Slave Trade (American Heritage)

by James Dale Davidson

4.8 out of 5