Regulated Slave Trade Act of 1788

Definition

The Regulated Slave Trade Act of 1788 (also known as Dolben's Act) was a British law that aimed at improving conditions on slave ships by limiting the number of enslaved Africans that could be transported relative to a ship's size.

Analogy

Think of this act like a class size limit set by your school administration. Just as smaller class sizes are intended to improve learning conditions for students, this act aimed (though inadequately) at making conditions less horrific for enslaved people during transport.

Related terms

William Dolben: An English judge and politician who introduced and championed what became known as Dolben's Act or the Regulated Slave Trade Act of 1788.

Slave Ship Zong Massacre: A notorious incident where over 130 enslaved Africans were thrown overboard from a slave ship due to lack of provisions. This event helped spur calls for regulation like Dolben's Act.

Abolitionism in Britain: A social and political movement in Britain aiming at ending slavery and the slave trade. The passage of laws like Dolben's Act marked key milestones in this movement.