AbolitionLiterally ‘bringing to an end’; in this context the campaign to end the slave trade and slavery
AbolitionistPerson who supported the movement to end the transatlantic slave trade and slavery
Absentee ownerA plantation or estate owner who did not live on and manage the property directly
Affirmative actionA policy to increase representation from people in groups believed to have suffered discrimination
AffluenceState of having much wealth or property
African-AmericanA citizen from the United States of America who is of African descent
African-CaribbeanA person from the Caribbean of African descent
AfrikaAn alternative spelling of Africa, reflecting how it is spelt in many African languages; it is also used to indicate an Afro-centric viewpoint
Afro-centricA philosophical and theoretical perspective from an African point of view; it challenges Africa’s philosophical, economical and cultural marginalization by the West
AgitateTo move with rapid or violent action; to excite
Akan
Akan people are members of an ethnic group from areas of Ghana and the Ivory Coast, in West Africa, who share a common culture and language
AmericasThe two continents of north and south America and the surrounding islands
Anti-slaveryUsed to describe a person, an action, or an idea that is against slavery
ApprenticeA person who learns a craft or trade by working for a specialist or master for an agreed period, usually at low wages
ApprenticeshipThe period during which a person is bound (under contract) as an apprentice
ArchiveA place where historical documents or public records are kept and preserved
AristocracyAn upper class within society which is usually based on birth and is richer and more powerful than all other members
ArtefactA usually simple object showing human work and representing culture or a stage of development in culture
AsanteAsante people are members of an ethnic group from areas of Ghana, in West Africa, who share a common culture and language
AsientoIn the history of slavery this term refers to the permission given by the Spanish government to other countries to sell people as slaves to the Spanish colonies, between the years 1543 and 1834. In British history, it usually refers to the contract between Spain and Great Britain created in 1713 that dealt with the supply of enslaved Africans for the Spanish territories in the Americas.
AssetA quality or a thing that can be used to an advantage
AssimilationA process of making or becoming similar to others; to integrate into the majority
BeninThe Kingdom of Benin was a widespread empire across Nigeria and present day Benin that flourished from the 14th to the 19th century before it was captured and plundered by the British in 1897
BerthA place to sleep on a ship
BigotA person who will not listen to anyone whose ideas or beliefs are different from his/her own; one who regards or treats members of a group (as a racial group) with hatred or intolerance
BlackOften used in Britain to describe people of African and Caribbean (and sometimes Asian) origin
Black BritishUsed during the 1980s to stress the political unity between African, Caribbean, and South Asian people in Britain. Now mainly used to refer to British descendants of first generation Caribbean migrants, or more broadly to all people of African or Caribbean descent living in Britain
Blacking upThe racist gesture of applying Black makeup on the face of a person who is not Black to represent a Black person
BoomA rapid increase in growth, popularity or prosperity
BoycottA campaign where people join together and refuse to deal with a person, organization or country, usually to express disapproval or force an acceptance of terms
BrandA class of goods identified as the product of a single maker; i.e. Coca-Cola
BrandedMarked permanently with a hot iron as identifiable property; traditionally used on cattle and livestock as well as on some enslaved people to denote ownership
British EmpireA system of dependencies, mostly colonies, throughout the world that were under the sovereignty and administration of the British Crown and government over a period of about three hundred years
BrutalityThe state or quality of being cruel or inhumane
CaboceersAfrican traders appointed to deal with European traders
CalypsoA folk song or style of singing of West Indian origin having a lively rhythm and words which are usually made up by the singer
CapacityThe ability to hold or contain
CapoeiraBrazilian fight dance developed by enslaved Africans in Brazil
CargoA good transported in a ship, aeroplane or vehicle
CaribIndigenous people who inhabited the Caribbean islands and parts of the neighbouring mainland
Caribbeanthe islands off the east coast of North, Central and South America that were called the West Indies by Columbus
CaricaturesExaggeration of the actions, parts or features of someone or something usually for comic or satirical effect
Carnivalinitially a festival preceding the Catholic season of Lent (a period of fasting from Ash Wednesday to Easter weekend); now refers to general annual festivities, usually with a procession and extravagant costumes, and often symbolically remembering an event in the past
CharismaticTo do or undertake with great charm or appeal
Chartisma populist reform movement of the 1830s-40s, which set out a manifesto called ‘The People’s Charter’ aimed at increasing the rights of the working classes
Chattel slaverya form of slavery, introduced by Europeans, in which the enslaved person is treated as a piece of property belonging to his or her owner and has no rights; this status is for life and their children automatically have the same status; chattel derives from the word for cattle
Child labourThe employment of children under an age determined by law or custom
Civil RightsThe protections or privileges of personal power given to people under the law
Civilizationscommunities with advanced systems of social development
ClauseSeparate or distinct part of an article or document
Coffleused to describe a group of animals and prisoners or enslaved people chained together in a line commonly used by slavers in the 18th century
CoincideTo occupy the same place in space or time
Colonialrelating to or characteristic of a colony or colonies
Colonizationa process of one country taking over another in order to exploit it
Colonya territory partially or completely controlled by another country (often called the mother country or motherland) and settled by those people
ColouredA derogatory term that was used to describe people of or belonging to a racial group having darker skin complexion than others. The term is a Eurocentric one which presupposes a position of ‘Whiteness’ and is no longer acceptable for use today.
Commemorateto preserve in memory by a celebration or ceremony
CommissionA fee paid to an agent to perform a service
Commodityan article of trade, especially a raw material or product
Commons, The short for the House of Commons, the elected chamber of the UK Parliament
CommunismA social system in which property and goods are owned in common
Compensationrecompense, intended to make amends, often with a payment
Con (as opposed to a pro)Against; an opposition argument, person or position
ConformityAgreement in form, manner or character
ConnotationA meaning suggested by a word or expression in addition to its exact meaning
Conquerto overcome, defeat or subjugate opposition
Consciousness raisingThe act of making people aware of facts or feelings
ConsumerA person who buys and uses up goods
ContemporaryLiving or occurring at the same time period
ContextThe parts of something written or spoken that are near a certain word or group and help explain its meaning
Controversialopen to dispute or argument
ControversyAn often long or heated discussion about something which there is a great difference of opinion
Corporal punishmentpunishment by the infliction of physical pain, especially flogging
Counter (argument or narrative)In another or opposite direction
Creolea person of mixed European and African descent; a language with different European and African influences; Creole culture formed by Africans in the Americas combining beliefs of different ethnic groups and adding in European and Christian ideas: Creole culture has evolved over time and is still important throughout the African Diaspora
Culturean identity based on religious or spiritual beliefs, language, and family values; cultures are inherent their applications can be neither inferior nor superior to each other and are continually evolving for individuals and communities
DegradeTo lower character of
DepictTo represent by a picture or describe in words
DepleteTo reduce in amount by using up
DeportTo force a person (who is not a citizen) to leave the country
DerogatoryIntended to lower the reputation of a person or thing; expressing a low opinion
Diasporathe spreading out of any group of people, forcibly or voluntarily, away from their homeland across a large area or indeed the world (it was originally used to describe the Jewish dispersal); also refers to the expatriate population as a distinct group
Discriminateto treat unfairly favourably or unfavourably, especially on the basis of race or gender
DistinctiveClearly marking a person or thing as different from others
DiversityCondition of being different
Domestic slavean enslaved person who works in a household rather than in the fields
DominantCommanding, controlling or having great influence over all others
DowntroddenCrushed by a superior power
DuressThe use of force or threats
DynamicsThe patterns of change or growth
Dysenterybacterial infection of the intestine resulting in severe diarrhoea
Eastern slave tradea trade in enslaved people, mainly from Africa, to the Middle East, North Africa and India; also known as the Oriental slave trade
EdoEdo people are members of an ethnic group from areas of Nigeria, in West Africa who share a common culture and language
EfikEfik people are members of an ethnic group from areas of Nigeria, in West Africa who share a common culture and language
Emancipationbeing set free, or granted rights equal to others who already enjoy them (including allowing non-Anglicans to sit in Parliament and have other civic rights); the freeing of enslaved people from slavery
EmblemA symbol, design or figure used as an identifying mark
EmbodyTo cause to become part of a system
EmigrateTo leave a country or region to live elsewhere
EnforceTo bring about force
Enfranchisementgranting the right to vote
EngraveTo cut or carve on a surface
Enlightenment, The name given to European 18th century period/movement characterized by literal rationalism in scientific and philosophical thought
Enslaved African/Enslaved Persona person devoid of freedom and personal rights, who is the held in servitude and considered the property of another whether by capture, purchase or birth
Enslavementto make a slave of a person; being held in captivity, servitude
EquityFairness or justness in dealing between people
Estatetraditionally a large area of land, used for agriculture, centred on a large house, owned by one person or family
EtchingA product where by a design has been eaten into a hard surface
EthicalFollowing accepted rules of conduct
EthnicA member of a minority group who keeps the customs, language or social ideas of the group
EurocentricCentered or focused on Europe or European peoples, especially in relation to historical or cultural influence
Evangelicalof, or according to, the Christian gospel; often conservative Protestant Christianity
EvidentClear to the sight or mind
ExaggerateTo enlarge a fact or a statement beyond what is true
ExcludeTo shut or keep out
ExpatriateA person living in a foreign country, especially one who has renounced his/her own country
Exploitative labourLabour in which workers are used unfairly for the owner’s own advantage
Fair-tradeIs a system where by communities join together to produce goods for sale that make the community richer and stronger as a whole, ensuring workers’ human rights and the environment are protected over time
FanteFante people are members of an ethnic group from areas of Ghana, in West Africa who share a common culture and language
Fluxnow obsolete term for dysentery; inflammation and looseness of the bowels
Free man/womansomeone who is not an enslaved person
Freedomthe state of being at liberty, unrestricted, not restrained
Gang labourWorkers who toiled in the fields collectively all doing the same task at the same time
Genocidethe planned or ordered killing of a racial or cultural group
Global citizensCitizens of Earth who share in a collective responsibility for taking care of each other and our common environment
Gold Coastthe name given to an area of the West African coast by early European traders who traded for gold
Guerrilla warfarefighting by independently acting groups for a broadly political cause
Guineaan area at the West African coast, sometimes referred to as the Guinea Coast; a gold coin issued in 1663 taking its name from there; worth 21 old shillings (£1.05 in decimal currency)
GuyanaCountry on the northern coast of South America
HaitiAn island country in the Caribbean, formerly St Dominigue
HausaHausa people are members of an ethnic group from areas of Nigeria and Niger, in West Africa, who share a common culture and language
Hierarchysystem of grades or status ranked above the other
Hispaniolaa major island in the Caribbean, containing the two sovereign states of the Dominican Republic and Haiti
Holocaustfrom the Greek word meaning 'burnt offering' it is primarily used to refer to the Nazi German extermination of Jewish (and other) people in central Europe during World War II
Homeward Passagethe 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
Homogenousuniform, all of the same kind
Human rightsstandards or expectations held to be common to all
HumanitarianA person who works towards achieving human rights
IgboIgbo (or Ibo) people are members of an ethnic group from areas of Nigeria, in West Africa, who share a common culture and language
Immigranta person who comes into a country to settle
ImplicationThe act of including or involving as a natural or necessary part even though it is not put clearly into words
Indenturea form of contracted servitude or apprenticeship for a fixed period of time, often seven years in return for free passage to a colony, with the promise of land or money at the end
Indentured servant /labourera person who has sold their labour for a set period of time
Independencethe state of self government
Indigenousoriginal inhabitants
Industrial Revolutionrapid development of initially, British industry using machines in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It caused mass migrations from the countryside into the cities
InequalityThe quality of being unequal
Inhumanitythe state of being brutal, cruel, barbarous, without feeling, indifferent to the suffering of others
InsensitiveLacking in feeling
Institutional RacismThe collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture or ethnic origin. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping which disadvantage minority ethnic people.
InsuranceA means of guaranteeing protection
Insurrectionrebellion, uprising, open resistance to authority
Ivoryhard white substance of elephant and other animals’ tusks
Ivory Coasta country on the coast of West Africa, officially called Cote d'Ivoire; European traders gave the area the name after the large amounts of ivory found there
JazzA musical tradition which blends African-American musical styles with Western techniques and theories and is American in origin
Jim Crow lawslegislation in many American states from 1880s-1960s which enforced segregation between Black and White people and outlawed mixed race marriages; the term ‘Jim Crow’ may also refer to a Black character played by a White actor in a minstrel show
Karl MarxGerman-born philosopher, political economist and revolutionary activist, Marx is considered the founder of Communism
Ku Klux KlanWhite racist organization founded by former confederate soldiers in Tennessee in 1866, initially to prevent freed enslaved people voting and exercising other civil rights; members wore white robes to hide their identity and used terror and intimidation against Black people
LandmarkAn event that marks a turning point
Legacysomething handed down by a predecessor
LobbyTo try to influence public officials and especially members of a legislative body
Log bookswritten record book of the navigation and other occurrences on board a ship, kept on a daily basis
LogoAn identifying symbol or motto
Lords, The short for the House of Lords, the second chamber of the UK Parliament, originally made up of hereditary members or peers, some Anglican bishops, and senior judges (as the Lords is the court of final appeal in the UK). Today, the peer element is appointed, including some hereditary peers and other ‘life peers’
Maafaderived from a Kiswahili word meaning ‘disaster’, or ‘terrible occurrence’. It is used to refer to the enslavement of African people by Europeans. The definition also refers to the subsequent loss of indigenous African cultures, languages and religions
MammiesA term coming from slavery used for enslaved or emancipated Black women who looked after the children of their usually White master/employer in America
ManifestA list of cargo or passengers, especially on a ship or plane
Manillasbrass bracelet-shaped objects mainly made in Europe and used as money on the West Coast of Africa to trade for enslaved people
Manumissionlegal process (and related documents) by which enslaved Africans could buy their freedom or be freed by their owner
Maroonsenslaved Africans who escaped into the Jamaican wilderness to form their own separate communities, from the Spanish word cimarrón meaning wild or untamed
Martial lawmilitary government, which suspends ordinary law
MascotA person, object or animal which is supposed to bring good luck
Mason-Dixon linenamed after two surveyors, it was originally the boundary between the English North American colonies of Maryland and Pennsylvania; it came to mark the division between the Southern slave states and the Northern free states in the early 19th century
Mass movementA large scale movement of people coming together for a shared purpose
MemorialSomething that keeps alive the memory of a person or event
Merchanttrader of goods, buying for one price and selling them on for an increased price
MethodistsChristian group, founded by John Wesley and his brother when they broke away from the Church of England and built the first Methodist chapel in Bristol in 1739
Middle Passagethe second stage in the transatlantic slave trade, on which ships carried enslaved Africans from Africa to either the Caribbean islands or the Americas (see also Triangular trade)
Migrateto move from one place and settle in another, especially abroad
Missionaryperson sent to educate others about a religious faith
MobiliseTo assemble and make ready for action
Monopolyexclusive ownership or control in the trade in particular goods or service
MonumentA place of scenic, historic or scientific merit set aside for preservation; a structure that honours a person or event
MoralOf or relating to the judgement of right or wrong in human behaviours
Mother countryNative country; or the colonising country
Motherlandnative country; or the colonizing country
MottoA saying that suggests an object or society’s nature or use
Mucusslimy substance secreted from parts of the body
MulattoComes from the Spanish or Portuguese term for ‘young mule’. A mule is a hybrid mix of a horse and a donkey. This term is derogatory in its use to depict people of mixed race or people of dual descent, most often of an enslaved Black female and a White man; mixed race women were often more privileged than the enslaved from Africa but still treated as second-class citizens; the term ‘mulatto’ was commonly used in the 18th century but is now considered derogatory and unacceptable today
Multiculturala mixture of several cultural groups
Negressterm used to describe a woman of African descent throughout the 18th to 20th centuries; the word is considered derogatory and unacceptable today
Negroterm used to describe a man of African descent throughout the 18th to 20th centuries; the word is considered derogatory and unacceptable today
New Worldterm given by Europeans to North and South America and the Caribbean Islands, in contrast to the 'Old World' of Europe, Asia and Africa; when they landed in the Americas Europeans considered them to be new lands, downplaying the status of the indigenous inhabitants
Nomadspeople who do not live in a single place but move, often seasonally, over a wide range for pasture to graze animals
Nonconformistan English term for dissenting Christians other than the Anglicans or Roman Catholics including Baptists, Congregationalists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Quakers, Unitarians and members of the United Reformed Church
Oppressiondomination by others in a harsh or unwanted way
Orthodox (orthodoxy)Usual or conventional belief or practice
Outward Passagethe first stage in the transatlantic slave trade with ships carrying goods from Europe to trade in Africa for captured Africans
Overseerperson on a plantation paid a wage to organize the work of the enslaved people; manager
ParliamentarianA person who is elected or appointed to parliament
ParodyA written or music work in which the style of an author or work is imitated for comic effect
PassiveNot active but acted upon
People's CharterThe statement set out by followers of Chartism
PerpetuateTo cause to last indefinitely
PersistenceThe act or quality where one continues to do something in spite of oppositions, warnings or pleas
Philanthropylove of mankind; philanthropists habitually display goodwill and make charitable gestures
Physiciana medical doctor who is not a surgeon
Pidgina simplified language developed as a result of colonialism. As the Caribbean islands were colonized their populations grew to include Europeans, Africans and Indians. The fact that they spoke different languages necessitated a common means of communication
Plantationa large area of farmland, or estate, planted with particular crops
Plantocracythe successful settlers who developed plantations in the Caribbean; the name combines their local rank and the status to which they aspired
PlatformA declaration of beliefs and goals (usually of a political party)
Prejudicea preconceived opinion, usually springing from feeling rather than evidence and balanced judgement
PrevalentAccepted, practised or happening often or over a wide areas
Privateera privately owned war-ship, or its captain, licensed by one government to raid the shipping of an enemy country
Pro (as opposed to con)In favour of, a favourable person, action, or position
Pro-slaverydescribes a person, an action, or an idea that is in favour of slavery
ProfoundHaving or showing great knowledge
ProgressiveMaking use of or interested in new ideas
ProliferationA rapid increase or growth
ProminentEasily noticeable or distinguished
PromotionalAn offer that leads to helping something build or develop
ProsperityState of being successful or having financial good fortune
ProtestTo object strongly
PublicityAn act or device designed to attract public attention
Quakermember of the Religious Society of Friends or Quakers, a radical nonconformist Christian religious group established by George Fox (1624 - 91) with a strong sense of morality and social justice
Race relationsThe way in which people of different racial groups get along in society
Racisma belief that one group of people is inferior, or superior to another because to their race
RadicalExtreme; departing sharply from the usual
Rebellionorganized armed resistance against established government or authority
ReclaimTo restore to a previous natural state
RecruitTo increase the number by enlisting new members
Reformelectoral 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
RefugeeA person who seeks shelter or protection from danger or distress in country other than their own
ReinforceTo strengthen by additional assistance, material or support
RenounceTo give up refuse for resign by public declaration
Reparationmaking amends, compensation; claim to payments to the descendants of the enslaved and to Africa by those who benefited economically from slavery
Repatriationto return, or be returned, home, to one’s native land
Repressionto put down and keep down by force any active general opposition or rebellion
Resistanceto strive against, or refuse to comply (sometimes secretly) with a decision or an established way of doing things
Return Passagethe 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)
Revoltuprising against a ruler; or government, sometimes including going over to a rival power
Revolutiona major change or fundamental reconstruction, usually of a nation by replacing a ruler or system of government or in ways of thinking
RightSomething to which one has claim
RiotPublic violence, disturbance or disorder
RitualizeTo make as an established form of ceremony
Romantic MovementAn 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 CompanyLondon-based trading company with a monopoly on the early trade with Africa
Scrambleclambering and struggling with competitors for a share, e.g. ‘The Scramble for Africa’
Seasoninga period during which enslaved people newly arrived from Africa were initiated into the labour regime; new enslaved people were given marginally lesser tasks in the seasoning period as their ability to survive disease was tested
Segregationseparation of people, especially in the use of public facilities, employment, education, and housing; usually with a denial of political rights for the excluded group
Serfdoma system in which the serf, or labourer, was not allowed to leave the land that he or she worked on
Shacklesmetal hoops and chains put round the necks, wrists and ankles of (usually male) enslaved people to restrain them
Shillingspre-decimalization in 1969, one pound sterling was made up of 20 shillings, each made up of 12 (old) pence; a shilling is the equivalent of 5p today
SlaveSomeone who is made to serve another; devoid of freedom and personal rights; one who is the property of another whether by capture, purchase or birth.
Slave colonya settlement on plantations, based on the labour of enslaved Africans
Slave labourwork carried out by the enslaved for the profit of others
Slaverspeople who earn a living from capturing, trading and transporting enslaved people; ships engaged in transporting the enslaved
Slaverythe institution that kept people as property, and submissive to work under the domination of others.
Smallpoxacute contagious disease caused by a virus, with fever and pustules, and with a high death rate; now eradicated world-wide
Snowsmall two mast, square-rigged sailing ship, similar to a brig
SnuffPowdered tobacco especially for inhaling through the nostrils
Socialist (socialism)A person who believes in socialism, a system based on shared or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of good
SolidarityUnity (as a group) that is based on shared interests and goals
SonnetA poem of 14 lines usually rhyming by a fixed scheme
St KittsA Caribbean Island
StatureQuality or status gained through growth, development or achievement
StatusPosition or rank in relation to others
Status symbolAn object or sign used to display a person’s wealth or position in society
Stereotype / stereotypinga fixed notion of a group of people, often based on prejudices
StewardA manager of a larger home or estate
StrategyA careful plan or method
Sub-Saharaarea south of the Sahara Desert in Africa
Subordinateof inferior importance or rank, secondary, subservient
Suffragethe right to vote in political elections
Suffragettea woman who agitated for the female right to vote
Supplicationpleading or appealing for something from a point of weakness
Surgeondoctor who specializes in using tools to operate on the body; also a general term for a naval doctor (since most were surgeons)
Sweatshopa factory or workshop employing workers employed for long hours and under poor conditions
SynagogueA place where Jewish people come together to worship
TabloidA newspaper carrying short and sensational news stories and many photographs
Task labourA system where people are given goals to achieve and therefore benefit if they can complete the work quickly
TemperanceA movement started in the 19th century to encourage people to stop drinking alcohol
TenantPeople who farm land rented from a landlord
Thirteenth AmendmentThe 1865 alteration to the United States Constitution which abolished slavery
ThriveTo grow vigorously; to gain wealth and possessions
TitheA form of taxation where a tenth of a person's income or the produce from their land, whether derived from crops or animals, was paid to the church to support the clergy
ToleranceSympathy for or acceptance of feelings, habits or beliefs that are different from one’s own
TractA short printed pamphlet, on religious or political subjects, to distribute to the public
Trading fortsEuropeans built forts as trading bases along the West African coast; they temporarily housed enslaved Africans until they were loaded onto ships
TraffickingThe transport and trade in humans for economic gain using force or deception
TransatlanticAcross the Atlantic Ocean
Transatlantic slave tradeA Eurocentric term used to describe the selling of Africans as chattel across the Atlantic Ocean between Europe and the Americas
Transatlantic slaveryThe institution that kept people as property, and submissive to work under the domination of others; the system of slavery that incorporates the ‘trade’ of enslaved Africans, the culture of enslavement, resistance of the enslaved and abolition
TreatyFormally ratified agreement between political groups or states
Triangular TradeThe name often given to the transatlantic slave trade; describes the three sides to the route the slave ships took from Europe to West Africa, then to the Caribbean and the Americas and finally back to Europe; the routes are known as the Outward Passage, the ‘Middle Passage’, and the Return or Homeward Passage. The term is slightly inaccurate as there were many trade routes used during this period that did not start and end in Europe.
TuberculosisA disease caused by bacterium and usually marked by wasting fever and the formation of cheesy tubercles in the lungs
UnassimilatedFailed to make or become similar to others; retaining distinctive differences
Underground RailroadA means of escape for thousands of enslaved people from the southern United States to the north and Canada operating from the late 1700s to 1862; it was called the Underground Railroad in 1831, and free Blacks and White abolitionists (’conductors’) offered the enslaved travelling at night food, clothing and safe locations (’stations’)
UprisingAct or instance of rising up; rebellion
ValidFounded on truth or fact
VentureA commercial undertaking, dealing with goods or assets in the hope that it will bring profit to those involved
Victorian eraThe period of time between 1837 – 1901 when Queen Victoria ruled the British Empire
VisaA mark on a passport that is a sign of approval and permission for a traveller to enter and / or remain in a foreign country
VisibilityThe degree of clearness
VoodooBeliefs and practices with a strong emphasis on magic and the spirit world, associated particularly with the island of Haiti, in the Caribbean, and thought to have been brought by enslaved people from Africa
WelfareA state of doing well, especially in regards to happiness, as well being or success
West IndiesIslands of the Caribbean (so called as Columbus thought he had reached India)
Whitney's cotton ginEli Whitney’s invention in 1793 of an engine that separated the seeds from the cotton plant, and greatly increased cotton cultivation and the demand for enslaved people (especially female) in the US
Women's SuffrageThe right of women to vote in Parliamentary elections; finally extended to all women in Britain in 1928 after a long and bitter campaign
XenophobiaXenophobia denotes a phobic attitude toward strangers or of the unknown. The term is typically used to describe fear or dislike of foreigners or in general of people different from one's self. For example, racism is sometimes described as a form of xenophobia.
Yellow FeverAn infectious and often fatal disease, spread by mosquitoes in tropical zones
YokeWooden bar used to link two things, people or animals together, or to carry a burden
YorubaAn ethnic group from Nigeria who share a common culture and language
ZongThe name of the slave ship which became infamous when, in 1781, had 131 enslaved people were thrown overboard to their death, so that the slave traders could claim the loss against the insurance
The Understanding Slavery initiative (USI) is a national learning project supporting the teaching and learning of transatlantic slavery and its legacies using museum and heritage collections.
Symbol of independence, freedom, emancipation.
Symbol of wisdom, knowledge and prudence.
Symbol of knowledge, life-long education and continued quest for knowledge
A reminder to contribute to the community, that in unity lies strength
Symbol of skillfulness, precision.
Symbol of initiative, dynamism and versatility
Symbol of excellence, genuineness, authenticity.
Symbol of readiness, steadfastness, hardiness.
Symbol of importance of learning from the past
Symbol of participatory government, democracy and pluralism
Symbol of examination and quality control.
Symbol of wisdom, creativity and the complexities of life
Symbol of affluence, power, abundance, plenty, togetherness and unity.
Symbol of cooperation and interdependence