The Irish
Slave Trade – The Forgotten “White” Slaves
Slave Trade – The Forgotten “White” Slaves
The
Slaves That Time Forgot
Slaves That Time Forgot
By John Martin
Global Research, January 27, 2013
Oped News and Global Research 14 April 2008
They came as slaves; vast
human cargo transported on tall British ships bound for the Americas. They were shipped by the hundreds of thousands and
included men, women, and even the youngest of children.
human cargo transported on tall British ships bound for the Americas. They were shipped by the hundreds of thousands and
included men, women, and even the youngest of children.
Whenever they rebelled or even
disobeyed an order, they were punished in the harshest ways. Slave owners would
hang their human property by their hands and set their hands or feet on fire as
one form of punishment. They were burned alive and had their heads placed on
pikes in the marketplace as a warning to other captives.
disobeyed an order, they were punished in the harshest ways. Slave owners would
hang their human property by their hands and set their hands or feet on fire as
one form of punishment. They were burned alive and had their heads placed on
pikes in the marketplace as a warning to other captives.
We don’t really need to go
through all of the gory details, do we? We know all too well the atrocities of
the African slave trade.
through all of the gory details, do we? We know all too well the atrocities of
the African slave trade.
But, are we talking about African
slavery? King James II and Charles I also led a continued effort to enslave the
Irish. Britain’s famed Oliver Cromwell furthered this practice of
dehumanizing one’s next door neighbor.
slavery? King James II and Charles I also led a continued effort to enslave the
Irish. Britain’s famed Oliver Cromwell furthered this practice of
dehumanizing one’s next door neighbor.
The Irish slave trade began when James
II sold 30,000 Irish prisoners as slaves to the New World. His Proclamation of 1625 required Irish political prisoners be sent
overseas and sold to English settlers in the West Indies. By the mid 1600s, the Irish were the main slaves sold to Antigua and Montserrat. At that time, 70% of the total population of Montserrat were Irish slaves.
II sold 30,000 Irish prisoners as slaves to the New World. His Proclamation of 1625 required Irish political prisoners be sent
overseas and sold to English settlers in the West Indies. By the mid 1600s, the Irish were the main slaves sold to Antigua and Montserrat. At that time, 70% of the total population of Montserrat were Irish slaves.
Ireland quickly became the biggest source of human livestock for English
merchants. The majority of the early slaves to the New World were actually white.
merchants. The majority of the early slaves to the New World were actually white.
From 1641 to 1652, over 500,000 Irish
were killed by the English and another 300,000 were sold as slaves. Ireland’s population fell from about 1,500,000 to 600,000 in
one single decade. Families were ripped apart as the British did not allow
Irish dads to take their wives and children with them across the Atlantic. This led to a helpless population of homeless women and children. Britain’s solution was to auction them off as well.
were killed by the English and another 300,000 were sold as slaves. Ireland’s population fell from about 1,500,000 to 600,000 in
one single decade. Families were ripped apart as the British did not allow
Irish dads to take their wives and children with them across the Atlantic. This led to a helpless population of homeless women and children. Britain’s solution was to auction them off as well.
During the 1650s, over 100,000 Irish
children between the ages of 10 and 14 were taken from their parents and sold
as slaves in the West Indies, Virginia and New England. In this decade, 52,000 Irish (mostly women and
children) were sold to Barbados and Virginia. Another 30,000 Irish men and women were also
transported and sold to the highest bidder. In 1656, Cromwell ordered that 2000
Irish children be taken to Jamaica and sold as slaves to English settlers.
children between the ages of 10 and 14 were taken from their parents and sold
as slaves in the West Indies, Virginia and New England. In this decade, 52,000 Irish (mostly women and
children) were sold to Barbados and Virginia. Another 30,000 Irish men and women were also
transported and sold to the highest bidder. In 1656, Cromwell ordered that 2000
Irish children be taken to Jamaica and sold as slaves to English settlers.
Many people today will avoid calling the
Irish slaves what they truly were: Slaves. They’ll come up with terms like
“Indentured Servants” to describe what occurred to the Irish. However, in most
cases from the 17th and 18th centuries, Irish slaves were nothing more than
human cattle.
Irish slaves what they truly were: Slaves. They’ll come up with terms like
“Indentured Servants” to describe what occurred to the Irish. However, in most
cases from the 17th and 18th centuries, Irish slaves were nothing more than
human cattle.
As an example, the African slave trade
was just beginning during this same period. It is well recorded that African
slaves, not tainted with the stain of the hated Catholic theology and more
expensive to purchase, were often treated far better than their Irish
counterparts.
was just beginning during this same period. It is well recorded that African
slaves, not tainted with the stain of the hated Catholic theology and more
expensive to purchase, were often treated far better than their Irish
counterparts.
African slaves were very expensive
during the late 1600s (50 Sterling). Irish slaves came cheap (no more than 5 Sterling). If a planter whipped or branded or beat an Irish
slave to death, it was never a crime. A death was a monetary setback, but far
cheaper than killing a more expensive African. The English masters quickly
began breeding the Irish women for both their own personal pleasure and for
greater profit. Children of slaves were themselves slaves, which increased the
size of the master’s free workforce. Even if an Irish woman somehow obtained
her freedom, her kids would remain slaves of her master. Thus, Irish moms, even
with this new found emancipation, would seldom abandon their kids and would
remain in servitude.
during the late 1600s (50 Sterling). Irish slaves came cheap (no more than 5 Sterling). If a planter whipped or branded or beat an Irish
slave to death, it was never a crime. A death was a monetary setback, but far
cheaper than killing a more expensive African. The English masters quickly
began breeding the Irish women for both their own personal pleasure and for
greater profit. Children of slaves were themselves slaves, which increased the
size of the master’s free workforce. Even if an Irish woman somehow obtained
her freedom, her kids would remain slaves of her master. Thus, Irish moms, even
with this new found emancipation, would seldom abandon their kids and would
remain in servitude.
In time, the English thought of a better
way to use these women (in many cases, girls as young as 12) to increase their
market share: The settlers began to breed Irish women and girls with African
men to produce slaves with a distinct complexion. These new “mulatto” slaves
brought a higher price than Irish livestock and, likewise, enabled the settlers
to save money rather than purchase new African slaves. This practice of
interbreeding Irish females with African men went on for several decades and
was so widespread that, in 1681, legislation was passed “forbidding the
practice of mating Irish slave women to African slave men for the purpose of
producing slaves for sale.” In short, it was stopped only because it interfered
with the profits of a large slave transport company.
way to use these women (in many cases, girls as young as 12) to increase their
market share: The settlers began to breed Irish women and girls with African
men to produce slaves with a distinct complexion. These new “mulatto” slaves
brought a higher price than Irish livestock and, likewise, enabled the settlers
to save money rather than purchase new African slaves. This practice of
interbreeding Irish females with African men went on for several decades and
was so widespread that, in 1681, legislation was passed “forbidding the
practice of mating Irish slave women to African slave men for the purpose of
producing slaves for sale.” In short, it was stopped only because it interfered
with the profits of a large slave transport company.
England continued to ship tens of thousands of Irish slaves for more than a
century. Records state that, after the 1798 Irish Rebellion, thousands of Irish
slaves were sold to both America and Australia. There were horrible abuses of both African and Irish
captives. One British ship even dumped 1,302 slaves into the Atlantic Ocean so that the crew would have plenty of food to eat.
century. Records state that, after the 1798 Irish Rebellion, thousands of Irish
slaves were sold to both America and Australia. There were horrible abuses of both African and Irish
captives. One British ship even dumped 1,302 slaves into the Atlantic Ocean so that the crew would have plenty of food to eat.
There is little question that the Irish
experienced the horrors of slavery as much (if not more in the 17th Century) as
the Africans did. There is, also, very little question that those brown, tanned
faces you witness in your travels to the West Indies are very likely a
combination of African and Irish ancestry. In 1839, Britain finally decided on it’s own to end it’s participation
in Satan’s highway to hell and stopped transporting slaves. While their
decision did not stop pirates from doing what they desired, the new law slowly
concluded THIS chapter of nightmarish Irish misery.
experienced the horrors of slavery as much (if not more in the 17th Century) as
the Africans did. There is, also, very little question that those brown, tanned
faces you witness in your travels to the West Indies are very likely a
combination of African and Irish ancestry. In 1839, Britain finally decided on it’s own to end it’s participation
in Satan’s highway to hell and stopped transporting slaves. While their
decision did not stop pirates from doing what they desired, the new law slowly
concluded THIS chapter of nightmarish Irish misery.
But, if anyone, black or white, believes
that slavery was only an African experience, then they’ve got it completely
wrong.
that slavery was only an African experience, then they’ve got it completely
wrong.
Irish slavery is a subject worth
remembering, not erasing from our memories.
remembering, not erasing from our memories.
But, where are our public (and PRIVATE)
schools???? Where are the history books? Why is it so seldom discussed?
schools???? Where are the history books? Why is it so seldom discussed?
Do the memories of hundreds of thousands
of Irish victims merit more than a mention from an unknown writer?
of Irish victims merit more than a mention from an unknown writer?
Or is their story to be one that their
English pirates intended: To (unlike the African book) have the Irish story
utterly and completely disappear as if it never happened.
English pirates intended: To (unlike the African book) have the Irish story
utterly and completely disappear as if it never happened.
None of the Irish victims ever made it
back to their homeland to describe their ordeal. These are the lost slaves; the
ones that time and biased history books conveniently forgot.
back to their homeland to describe their ordeal. These are the lost slaves; the
ones that time and biased history books conveniently forgot.
Irish are 'the forgotten white slaves’ claims
expert
expert
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The slave
ship HMS Glendower brought human cargo to South American and the Indies. Photo by: Wikimedia Commons
ship HMS Glendower brought human cargo to South American and the Indies. Photo by: Wikimedia Commons
The history of the African slave
trade into the Americas is well-documented as well as largely taught in American
schools today.
trade into the Americas is well-documented as well as largely taught in American
schools today.
However, as John Martin of the Montreal-based Center for Research and
Globalization points out in his article ‘The Irish Slave Trade - The Forgotten ‘White’ Slaves,’ it
was not just Africans who were traded as slaves.
Indeed, the Irish have a gruesome
history of being traded as slaves as well, and subjected to similar and
sometimes worse treatment than their African contemporaries of the time.
history of being traded as slaves as well, and subjected to similar and
sometimes worse treatment than their African contemporaries of the time.
Strangely though, the history of
Irish and ‘white’ slavery is by and large ignored in the American educational
curriculum today.
Irish and ‘white’ slavery is by and large ignored in the American educational
curriculum today.
In his article, John Martin
writes “The Irish slave trade began when James II sold 30,000 Irish prisoners
as slaves to the New World. His Proclamation of 1625 required Irish political prisoners be
sent overseas and sold to English settlers in the West Indies. By the mid
1600s, the Irish were the main slaves sold to Antigua and Montserrat. At that time,
70 percent of the total population of Montserrat were Irish slaves.”
writes “The Irish slave trade began when James II sold 30,000 Irish prisoners
as slaves to the New World. His Proclamation of 1625 required Irish political prisoners be
sent overseas and sold to English settlers in the West Indies. By the mid
1600s, the Irish were the main slaves sold to Antigua and Montserrat. At that time,
70 percent of the total population of Montserrat were Irish slaves.”
“Ireland quickly became the biggest source of human livestock for
English merchants. The majority of the early slaves to the New World were actually
white.”
English merchants. The majority of the early slaves to the New World were actually
white.”
Martin writes how at the hands of the British, the Irish population plummeted
due to the slave trade of the 17th century.
“During the 1650s, over 100,000
Irish children between the ages of 10 and 14 were taken from their parents and
sold as slaves in the West Indies, Virginia and New England. In this decade, 52,000 Irish (mostly women and children) were
sold to Barbados and Virginia. Another 30,000 Irish men and women were also transported and
sold to the highest bidder. In 1656, [Oliver] Cromwell ordered that 2000 Irish
children be taken to Jamaica and sold as slaves to English settlers.”
Irish children between the ages of 10 and 14 were taken from their parents and
sold as slaves in the West Indies, Virginia and New England. In this decade, 52,000 Irish (mostly women and children) were
sold to Barbados and Virginia. Another 30,000 Irish men and women were also transported and
sold to the highest bidder. In 1656, [Oliver] Cromwell ordered that 2000 Irish
children be taken to Jamaica and sold as slaves to English settlers.”
Martin goes on to explain that
for some reason, the Irish slaves are often remembered as ‘indentured
servants.’ However, in most cases during the 17th and 18th centuries, they were
no more than “human cattle.”
for some reason, the Irish slaves are often remembered as ‘indentured
servants.’ However, in most cases during the 17th and 18th centuries, they were
no more than “human cattle.”
“...the African slave trade was
just beginning during this same period,” writes Martin. “It is well recorded
that African slaves, not tainted with the stain of the hated Catholic theology
and more expensive to purchase, were often treated far better than their Irish
counterparts.”
just beginning during this same period,” writes Martin. “It is well recorded
that African slaves, not tainted with the stain of the hated Catholic theology
and more expensive to purchase, were often treated far better than their Irish
counterparts.”
During the late 1600s, writes
Martin, African slaves were far more expensive than their Irish counterparts -
Africans would sell for around 50 sterling while Irish were often no more than
5 sterling.
Martin, African slaves were far more expensive than their Irish counterparts -
Africans would sell for around 50 sterling while Irish were often no more than
5 sterling.
The Irish were further exploited
when the British began to “breed” Irish women - or girls, sometimes as young as
12 - with African males.
when the British began to “breed” Irish women - or girls, sometimes as young as
12 - with African males.
“These new “mulatto” slaves
brought a higher price than Irish livestock and, likewise, enabled the settlers
to save money rather than purchase new African slaves. This practice of
breeding Irish females with African men went on for several decades and was so
widespread that, in 1681, legislation was passed “forbidding the practice of
mating Irish slave women to African slave men for the purpose of producing
slaves for sale.” In short, it was stopped only because it interfered with the
profits of a large slave transport company.
brought a higher price than Irish livestock and, likewise, enabled the settlers
to save money rather than purchase new African slaves. This practice of
breeding Irish females with African men went on for several decades and was so
widespread that, in 1681, legislation was passed “forbidding the practice of
mating Irish slave women to African slave men for the purpose of producing
slaves for sale.” In short, it was stopped only because it interfered with the
profits of a large slave transport company.
Martin concludes, “In 1839, Britain finally decided on it’s own to end its participation in Satan’s
highway to hell and stopped transporting slaves. While their decision did not
stop pirates from doing what they desired, the new law slowly concluded THIS
chapter of nightmarish Irish misery.”
highway to hell and stopped transporting slaves. While their decision did not
stop pirates from doing what they desired, the new law slowly concluded THIS
chapter of nightmarish Irish misery.”
