Latest / The Atlantic Slave Trade: Empire Built on Human Suffering — Fexingo History
The Zong Massacre Trial: Law, Slavery, and Insurance Fraud
In 1781, the crew of the slave ship Zong threw over one hundred enslaved Africans to their deaths in an attempt to claim insurance for lost cargo. This episode examines the subsequent legal battle in London, where lawyer Granville Sharp fought to secure a trial for murder while the owners argued the victims were mere goods. We explore how Chief Justice Lord Mansfield navigated the conflict between property law and human rights, ultimately rejecting the insurance claim but failing to convict the crew. The discussion delves into the testimony of Absalom, a survivor from Kongo, and how his…
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