England's second port, grew wealthy from slavery by the late 17th century onwards.
   The African people whose labour underpinned the whole system were kidnapped in slaving raids or captured in intertribal wars. They were brought from West African traders in exchange for arms, alcohol or textiles. They were shackled and packed below deck in ships bound for the Caribbean or the Americas. They were sold for colonial produce such as sugar, cocoa, molasses, coffee, cotton, indigo and rum. These goods were then brought back to Bristol and other English ports. Few African slaves were brought directly to England and those who were became domestic servants, sailors and musicians.
   Money earned from the slave trade stimulated industries such as ship yards, rope walks and rum distilleries for the infamous Triangular Trade. Bristol merchants not only visited Africa but regularly traded in both Northern and Southern Europe. In 1804 John Dewolf was the first to trade in China. Now, in addition to the slave trade, Bristol merchants had other ways to earn money. James Dewolf even purchased large sugar plantations in Cuba.
   By 1807 the slave trade had been abolished. Full freedom for slaves was not actually granted until 1838.