USI – Glossary Of Terms

The Glossary lists key historical and contemporary terms related to the transatlantic slave trade. These words are used across the website and particularly in the Themes and Use of language.

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There are currently 22 Terms in this directory beginning with the letter R.
Race relations
The way in which people of different racial groups get along in society
Racism
a belief that one group of people is inferior, or superior to another because to their race
Radical
Extreme; departing sharply from the usual
Rebellion
organized armed resistance against established government or authority
Reclaim
To restore to a previous natural state
Recruit
To increase the number by enlisting new members
Reform
electoral reform, or Reform as it became known, was a movement in the 1800s for increasing the democratization of Parliament and voting rights; social reform was concerned with changing conditions for the better, especially for the poor
Refugee
A person who seeks shelter or protection from danger or distress in country other than their own
Reinforce
To strengthen by additional assistance, material or support
Renounce
To give up refuse for resign by public declaration
Reparation
making amends, compensation; claim to payments to the descendants of the enslaved and to Africa by those who benefited economically from slavery
Repatriation
to return, or be returned, home, to one’s native land
Repression
to put down and keep down by force any active general opposition or rebellion
Resistance
to strive against, or refuse to comply (sometimes secretly) with a decision or an established way of doing things
Return Passage
the third stage in the transatlantic slave trade with ships carrying items grown or made in the Caribbean or the Americas, such as sugar or tobacco, to Europe to sell (see also Triangular trade)
Revolt
uprising against a ruler; or government, sometimes including going over to a rival power
Revolution
a major change or fundamental reconstruction, usually of a nation by replacing a ruler or system of government or in ways of thinking
Right
Something to which one has claim
Riot
Public violence, disturbance or disorder
Ritualize
To make as an established form of ceremony
Romantic Movement
An artistic, literary and intellectual movement influenced by the French Revolution. Followers stressed ideas around individual heroism and explored nature in new ways that saw its horror and awe expressed in words and imagery.
Royal African Company
London-based trading company with a monopoly on the early trade with Africa