Reflecting on Scotland's Legacy
A Look at Slavery and Remembrance Through 'Bought & Sold'
As we mark Slave Trade Remembrance Day, it is vital to confront and reflect on the complexities of our shared history, especially those aspects that are often difficult to acknowledge. In this context, Kate Phillips' Bought & Sold offers a crucial perspective on Scotland's role in the transatlantic slave trade—a history that we need to understand and reckon with.
Bought & Sold meticulously uncovers how thousands of Scots engaged in the buying and selling of humans, shedding light on a dark chapter of our past that we must face head-on. Phillips' compelling narrative provides an in-depth examination of Scotland's economic and social involvement in slavery, demonstrating that the nation's prosperity was, in many ways, built on the exploitation of enslaved people.
The union with England in 1707 opened new economic opportunities for Scotland, linking it to Britain's richest colony: Jamaica. This Caribbean island was a major hub for the slave trade and sugar production, and tens of thousands of Scots relocated there, becoming deeply entrenched in its economic machinery. From plantation owners to merchants, traders, bankers and insurance brokers, Scots were not mere bystanders but active participants in maintaining and profiting from the slave system.
Phillips draws from a wealth of archives and parliamentary papers, allowing us to hear the voices of those who were both complicit in and affected by this transatlantic trade. These documents reveal the personal and financial stakes involved for Scottish individuals and institutions. The detailed accounts of their investments, arguments against abolition and the resistance to ending slavery highlight how deeply entrenched this system was in Scottish society.
The fight to preserve slavery was fierce, with Scottish interests vehemently opposing abolition. Their resistance was not just about maintaining wealth but also about protecting a way of life that had become inextricably linked to their economic status.
The relationship between Scotland and Jamaica lasted for over a century, and its impact was profound on both sides of the Atlantic. Bought & Sold traces this connection from its inception in the 1700s to the eventual abolition of slavery in the British Empire. This historical journey not only reveals the depth of Scottish involvement but also provides a lens through which we can examine its ongoing legacy.
Bought & Sold serves as a crucial resource for anyone seeking to understand the full scope of Scotland's involvement in slavery. It challenges us to confront uncomfortable truths and to honour the memory of those who suffered as a result of these injustices. On Slave Trade Remembrance Day, let us commit to learning from this history. By doing so, we honour the memory of those affected and work towards a more just and equitable future.
