The Last Slave Ships

The Last Slave ShipsConstant Wonder • Season 2022, Episode 938, Segment 1

Apr 1, 2021 • 42m

The transatlantic slave trade (but not slavery itself) was outlawed in the US by the early 1800s, but illegal slave trade persisted. In fact, New York became a hub for slavers into early 1860’s. Spies like Emilio Sanchez exposed slavers to authorities, which led to a number of interceptions and trials, but ultimately, a strong governmental response to the trade is what stamped it out for good. Guest: John Harris, Assistant Professor of History at Erskine College and author of "The Last Slave Ships: New York and the End of the Middle Passage"

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