From the mid 1740s Liverpool was the largest slave trading port in Britain
Liverpool takes pride in its status as one of Britain's most welcoming cities, as it continually ranks among the kindest places in the country. But this modern-day culture is built in part on dark foundations: a thriving slave trade.
Though the slave trade was abolished in Britain in 1807, merchants and their families continued to reap the financial rewards of their brutal business. Many of them had risen to prominent positions thanks to the wealth they had acquired, which they poured into industrial development, bolstering Britain's position as a dominant global power.
Here are some of the other Liverpool streets named after people whose source of wealth and power should not be forgotten. Tarleton Street Banastre Tarleton , was a British general, politician, war hero - and slave trader. He led the British Legion during The American Revolutionary War before returning to Liverpool in 1782, when church bells rang out to celebrate his arrival. He first stood as a Tory candidate for Liverpool in 1784, and was eventually elected MP in 1790.
Sir Thomas Street Known as "the founder of modern Liverpool", Sir Thomas Johnson was also one of Britain's first ever slave traders. Born in Liverpool to a wealthy merchant family, he expanded his family's business to include the transportation of slaves to America. As MP, he welcomed the opening of the world's first commercial wet dock in 1715, which paved the way for even more slave ships to sail into Liverpool throughout the century.
Exchange Flags Exchange Flags' name comes from the fact that it was once a key centre of commerce and trade within Liverpool. That business extended to the slave trade, with the square used as a hub for traders to exchange and negotiate transfers of slaves. Exchange Flags now houses a building finished long after the abolition of the slave trade in 1939.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Premier League panel find second big Liverpool error as no England decision madeYour Liverpool FC morning digest focuses on the continued fallout from the controversial 2-1 Premier League defeat at Tottenham Hotspur
Read more »
Jurgen Klopp shares Liverpool plan for Jarell Quansah after selection admissionReaction from the Reds boss after Thursday's Europa League clash
Read more »
Man Utd and Liverpool 'send scouts' to watch Arsenal star's brother ahead of January windowArsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all sent scouts to watch Feyenoord midfielder Quinten Timber.
Read more »
Liverpool news and transfers LIVE - Khephren Thuram interest, Quinten Timber scouted, injury newsLiverpool transfer news, rumours, gossip and speculation including the latest on Khephren Thuram, Quinten Timber, Darren England, Jurgen Klopp and more
Read more »
Jurgen Klopp claims Liverpool replay comments were 'misunderstood'Jurgen Klopp addressed the comments he made prior to his Liverpool side's Europa League win over Union Saint-Gilloise
Read more »