Liverpool's entanglement with the transatlantic slave trade began in the 17th century, fueled by the city's strategic location and its growing commercial prowess. Over time, Liverpool's involvement in the trade deepened, and by the 18th century, it had become a significant slave-trading hub. The city's merchants and shipbuilders amassed vast wealth through the trade, transforming Liverpool into one of the wealthiest and most influential cities in the British Empire. The city's status as the 'Second City of the Empire' was largely built on the back of the slave trade, and its economy, infrastructure, and civic pride were intricately linked to the exploitation of enslaved Africans. Liverpool's pivotal role in the slave trade left a lasting legacy of wealth and privilege for some, while perpetuating systemic racism and injustice for others.
