The Transatlantic Slave Trade's Hidden Economy

In this episode, Lucas and Luna delve into the banks, insurers, and merchants whose fortunes were built on the slave trade, tracing the financial networks that stretched from Liverpool and Bristol to London, Lisbon, and beyond. They explore how institutions like Barclays and Lloyd's of London have roots in this brutal commerce, the role of the Royal African Company, and the speculative ventures that financed voyages. The conversation touches on the complex involvement of African kingdoms, the shift from trading in goods to trading in people, and the moral compromises made by those who profited. Lucas also discusses the economic aftermath, including how compensation for slave owners influenced British investment in infrastructure, and reflects on the ongoing debate over reparations. The episode closes with a thoughtful meditation on how acknowledging this history might shape our understanding of modern capitalism. #AtlanticSlaveTrade #FinancialHistory #Liverpool #RoyalAfricanCompany #LloydsOfLondon #BarclaysBank #SlaveryCompensation #Capitalism #BritishEmpire #17thCentury #18thCentury #OlaudahEquiano #SouthSeaCompany #BankOfEngland #Reparations #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo