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Maine's Role in the Slave Trade: Little-Known History of Slave Trading in New England

Maine Historical Society

This is a rebroadcast of an earlier show (original air date January 21, 2020); no calls will be taken.

In 1820, the U.S. passed an act that made participation on the slave trade an act of piracy. Yet, dozens of Maine vessels engaged in the slave trade illegally during this period. Thousands of enslaved people were transported and traded, leading to huge profits for slave traders--some of whom were Maine sea captains who are remembered as leading citizens of the day. Much of the millions of dollars from the slave trade funded the growth of New England's economy. We will learn about this troubling period in Maine's history, which has not often been mentioned or understood.

This show is part of Maine Calling's coverage of topics relating to Maine's Bicentennial.

Guests

Kate McMahon, museum specialist, Center for the Study of Global Slavery, National Museum of African American History & Culture

Meadow Dibble, director, Atlantic Black Box; visiting scholar, Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice, Brown University

Resources

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