British empire The British empire’s role in ending slavery Paul Martin says the British have plenty to be proud about. It is unclear from David Olusoga’s article whether he believes that payments to slave owners actually benefited slaves and their descendants or otherwise. Intended to soften the blow for slave owners, under the apprenticeship system, these rights were withdrawn. Slavery was replaced by a system of indentured labour in the many British colonies where plantations were the main income generators. Bernie EvansLiverpool• Kenan Malik (Let’s put an end to the delusion that Britain abolished slavery, theguardian.com, 11 February) has selectively blamed the British for their role in the 17th-century slave trade.

Source: The Guardian February 14, 2018 17:26 UTC