When William Wilberforce and the abolitionists began their fight against the slave trade in Britain how much of Britain and economy was dependent upon the slave trade?

Answer 1

When William Wilberforce and the abolitionists began their fight against the slave trade in the late 18th century, a significant portion of Britain's economy was intertwined with it. It is estimated that by the early 1800s, around 15% of Britain's economic activity was linked to the slave trade and the profits generated from the colonies. Key industries, such as sugar and textiles, heavily relied on slave labor, making the abolitionist movement a challenging endeavor due to the economic interests at stake.