Lootman wrote:I'm not aware that there was ever any slavery in mainland Britain.
There was always slavery in Britain. Celts, Romans, Britons, Saxons, English and indeed post union Britain all kept slaves. But usually few in number. As only rich people could afford them. Usually, slave owners were legally responsible for their slaves. Which made them a big problem if they ran away. Indentured/serf locals were cheaper to recruit, easier to replace, and employers didn't have to pay compensation for their crimes.
West Africa's greatest export has been slaves since at least 1000BC. They may not have built the pyramids, but there certainly were slaves in Ancient Egypt. Many of them transported across the Sahara from West Africa. Remember nearly all the West Africans exported by the Europeans to the Americas were bought, not captured. Local leaders did the enslaving. So if anyone is paying them compensation it should be the local rulers. Although, those who left (or at least their descendants) in general probably have a much better life today than those who stayed.
colin wrote:Well yes the Roman Empire would have not achieved it's phenomenal growth without slavery, but then not all slaves were equal in Roman society, for a child slave laboring in the mines life was brutal and short, for a favored domestic slave in a rich family's household then at least they were well fed and protected
Roman slaves had considerable legal rights. They could own property, which their employer could not touch, and ultimately buy themselves out of slavery. It was also common for a few favoured slaves to be freed and rewarded upon a gentleman's death (Manumission). So those slaves could themselves go on to become slave owners!
Gryff