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    The Zong Massacre took place in 1781 when the crew of the British slave ship Zong threw over 130 enslaved Africans overboard to their deaths so the ship's owners could file an insurance claim. This sparked outrage in Britain and became a significant event in the abolitionist movement, as it drew attention to the inhumane treatment of slaves and the disregard for their lives. While the court initially ruled in favor of the owners treating the slaves as property, the case increased opposition to the slave trade in Britain.

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    The Zong Massacre took place in 1781 when the crew of the British slave ship Zong threw over 130 enslaved Africans overboard to their deaths so the ship's owners could file an insurance claim. This sparked outrage in Britain and became a significant event in the abolitionist movement, as it drew attention to the inhumane treatment of slaves and the disregard for their lives. While the court initially ruled in favor of the owners treating the slaves as property, the case increased opposition to the slave trade in Britain.

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    16 views1 page

    History Zong Massacre

    Uploaded by

    b2.dakurah
    The Zong Massacre took place in 1781 when the crew of the British slave ship Zong threw over 130 enslaved Africans overboard to their deaths so the ship's owners could file an insurance claim. This sparked outrage in Britain and became a significant event in the abolitionist movement, as it drew attention to the inhumane treatment of slaves and the disregard for their lives. While the court initially ruled in favor of the owners treating the slaves as property, the case increased opposition to the slave trade in Britain.

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    The Zong Massacre, also known as the Zong incident, took place in 1781 during the period of the

    Atlantic slave trade. It involved the British slave ship called the Zong and the tragic loss of African
    lives.

    The Zong was a ship owned by a Liverpool-based slave trading company. It was carrying enslaved
    Africans from West Africa to the Americas, where they would be sold as slaves. The ship was
    overcrowded, and the conditions on board were deplorable.

    During the journey, the Zong faced delays due to bad weather, which caused a shortage of drinking
    water on the ship. As a result, the crew decided to throw enslaved Africans overboard to their deaths
    in order to claim insurance money for their loss.

    In November 1781, the crew started throwing enslaved Africans overboard, targeting those they
    believed to be sick or weak. Over the course of several days, around 132 Africans were thrown
    overboard and drowned. The captain and crew justified their actions by claiming that it was
    necessary to preserve the lives of the crew and the remaining enslaved Africans on board.

    However, the Zong Massacre sparked outrage and controversy in Britain. The insurance claim made
    by the ship's owners for the loss of the enslaved Africans led to a legal battle that brought the
    incident to public attention. The case became a significant milestone in the abolitionist movement, as
    it highlighted the inhumane treatment of enslaved Africans and the disregard for their lives.

    Prominent abolitionists, such as Granville Sharp and Olaudah Equiano, seized the opportunity to
    raise awareness about the atrocities committed during the slave trade. The Zong Massacre helped
    galvanize public opinion against the slave trade and played a role in shaping the anti-slavery
    movement in Britain.

    The legal proceedings surrounding the Zong Massacre were complex. The owners of the Zong initially
    filed an insurance claim, but it was denied by the insurance company. The case went to court, and
    ultimately, the court ruled in favor of the ship's owners, stating that the enslaved Africans were
    considered property and not human beings. However, the case received significant attention and
    contributed to the growing opposition to the slave trade in the years that followed.

    The Zong Massacre stands as a tragic episode in history, highlighting the inhumanity and brutality of
    the Atlantic slave trade. It played a significant role in raising awareness about the slave trade and
    fueling the abolitionist movement in Britain.

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