Month: June 2020

18th Century, BAME History, History

How the Emergence of Capitalism in the Early Modern Period Fuelled the African Slave Trade as Britain Became an Industrial Nation

This paper was written at the end of my first semester at university in 2010. The study of history through an economic lens was new to me. It sparked an interest in US history and I picked up a second module covering Slavery and Race in the USA for my second year. I was awarded a hugely encouraging A* grade. I felt very passionate about … Continue reading How the Emergence of Capitalism in the Early Modern Period Fuelled the African Slave Trade as Britain Became an Industrial Nation

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BAME History, History, In the News

Statuary: Heritage or Modern Horror?

The dumping of the statue of slave trader Edward Colston into the harbour at Bristol has brought into question the veritable army of statues that Britain displays in towns and cities. Many of us walk by without giving them a second glance. Many of them are relics of Britain’s defunct Empire and proudly display men of power and money that were often ill-gained in modern … Continue reading Statuary: Heritage or Modern Horror?

HistorianRuby2 Comments
BAME History, History, In the News

#BlackLivesMatter

Cities in America have seen protests and riots after the death last month of George Floyd in Minneapolis after a police officer continued to kneel on his neck for over eight minutes. George Floyd’s arrest was witnessed and filmed, with bystanders and George himself begging the officer to release his hold to allow him to breathe.  The situation has brought into focus systemic police brutality, … Continue reading #BlackLivesMatter

HistorianRuby9 Comments
Family History, History

Gray Family History: a Brief Overview of the Gray/Hand Branch

I’ve been meaning to delve a little more into my Gray family history for quite a while now. My mother’s father, William Gray, died when she was nine years old and having missed out on a lifetime of stories she could only repeat what her older siblings told her. That said, it was also noted that although a jolly Irishman, he wasn’t given to telling … Continue reading Gray Family History: a Brief Overview of the Gray/Hand Branch

HistorianRuby7 Comments