← more from
Northern Soundscapes
We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

West Africa Squadron

from The Progressive Campaign by Tim Hunter

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £1 GBP  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Compact Disc edition of The Progressive Campaign' album

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Progressive Campaign via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 1 day

      £8 GBP or more 

     

about

This vote, taken in 1807, had ended the slave trade but not slavery itself – but it did encourage British action to press other nation states to abolish their own slave trades. The vote also paved the way for abolition of slavery itself. And Britain was in a strong position to influence opinion in the world, at the time.

Britain led efforts to block slave ships. Patrols sent to the African coast to arrest slaving vessels. In the aftermath of Trafalgar Britain had the naval power to enforce it
The Royal Navy established the West Africa Squadron to suppress the Atlantic slave trade by patrolling the coast of West Africa. It did suppress the slave trade, but did not stop it entirely. Between 1808 and 1860, the West Africa Squadron captured 1,600 slave ships and freed 150,000 Africans. They resettled many in Jamaica and the Bahamas. Britain also used its influence to coerce other countries to agree to treaties to end their slave trade and allow the Royal Navy to seize their slave ships.
Fuelled by the surge in demand for sugar in Europe, this barbaric trade had unfortunately become a massive industry. African kingdoms fought wars against one another along before the Europeans arrived to make matters worse. Feeding the slave trade unfortunately became a way of life for tens of thousands of Africans
By 1811 the British West African Squadron was greatly strengthened and the slave felony act made slave trading by British subjects punishable by transportation to Australia for 14 years. Yet although the British slave trade had been undeniably crushed this in no way meant that the enslavement of Africans was at an end. Slaves were still being acquired within Africa (by their fellow Africans) and they saw no reason why they couldn’t sell them on to others.

lyrics

West Africal Squadron

Transatlantic Enforcement
With the West Africa
The West Africa Squadron
Transatlantic Enforcement
With the West Africa
The West Africa Squadron

We won at Trafalgar
And we defeated the Armada
Don’t see why this will be harder
We can turn back those boats
With forces afloat

Transatlantic Enforcement
Like the West Africa
West Africal Squadron
Transatlantic Enforcement
With the West Africa
West Africal Squadron

And so we had a mission
To police the Abolition
And so we had solutions
Like patrolling the seas
With our Powerful navy

It never gets a mention, but we had good intentions
We carried out prevention
Like patrolling the seas, with our powerful navy

credits

from The Progressive Campaign, released March 21, 2023
Tim Hunter - Lead and backing Vocals, Synthesiser
Alex Swift - Drums
Paul Nichols - Alto Sax

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Tim Hunter image

Tim Hunter Knaresborough, UK

'Through his musical albums, Knaresborough composer Tim Hunter helps bring to life the stories and legends of Yorkshire's rich heritage.' Yorkshire Post 1st May 2020.
Tim Hunter is a singer/songwriter/producer. His musical compositions range from pop ballads through to classic rock and have been enjoyed by audiences both in Europe and the United States. ... more

contact / help

Contact Tim Hunter

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Tim Hunter recommends:

If you like Tim Hunter, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Fabiana Palladino stops by to talk about her mesmeric debut LP.
listen now