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Migration to Britain, 1700s to 1900s: timeline

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Migration to Britain, 1700s to 1900s: timeline

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Explore this timeline to learn more about some of the people who came to Britain between the mid-1700s and early 1900s.

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Using a selection of items from the British Library’s collections and other archives, this timeline explores migration to Britain from the mid-1700s to the early 1900s. It charts some of the groups who came to Britain during this period, including lascars from South Asia, Irish people and Jewish refugees, and examines their reasons for settling. Some of these sources include content that may be considered discriminatory, offensive or distressing.

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Timeline: Slavery, Resistance, Abolition and Indentured Labour 1663-1838

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Timeline: Slavery, Resistance, Abolition and Indentured Labour 1663-1838

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Explore this timeline of key moments relating to slavery, resistance, abolition, and indentured labour using sources from the British Library's collections.

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To print the story please do so via the link in the story toolbar.

This timeline explores some of the events relating to slavery, resistance, abolition and indentured labourer between 1663 and 1838. Using a selection of items from the British Library's collections, it examines Britain's role in the slave trade across the British Empire. By plotting key events, this timeline shows how people in Britain and British colonies resisted slavery, highlighting the shift to indentured labour after the abolition of slavery in 1833.

1728-1740 First Maroon War

Jamaican Maroons and the colonial British authorities fight the First Maroon War. The Maroons are self-liberated people of African descent, who establish their own communities in Jamaica. The Windward Maroons, led by Queen Nanny and Quao, occupy Nanny Town in the north-east. The Leeward Maroons, led by Cudjoe, occupy areas in the south-west.

The Maroons use guerrilla tactics against the British, who realise they cannot defeat them. In 1739, they offer Cudjoe a peace treaty for the Leeward Maroons and a year later, they sign a treaty with Queen Nanny and Quao for the Windward Maroons. In exchange for peace, the British ask that the Maroons not harbour runaway enslaved people, which causes discontent among the Maroons as it means they are essentially supporting slavery.

The Maroons's success against the British inspire enslaved people in other colonies, such as Toussaint L'Ouverture in Haiti, to revolt against their captors.

1736 Prince Klaas's uprising in Antigua

From 1728 to 1736, Prince Klaas, an enslaved man, plots an uprising of enslaved people against the British in Antigua. They plan to execute all Europeans on the island and establish the Kingdom of Antigua. However, the British discover the uprising and Klaas, along with 88 other people, are executed for their proposed act of resistance.

Klaas, also known as Court, Tackey, or Kwaku, was kidnapped from the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana) at the age of 10 and taken to Antigua. He was installed as the King of the Black Antiguans during an Akan ritual. This act was viewed as an innocent symbol by the British plantation owners, but according to West African traditions was a declaration of war.

1760 Tacky's War in Jamaica

A widespread rebellion by enslaved people, led by Tacky, breaks out against the British in Jamaica. Tacky and his lieutenants plan to take over Jamaica and create a separate Black country. They are inspired by the success of the First Maroon War.

On 7 April 1760, Tacky and his followers begin the revolt, successfully taking over several plantations, killing European colonisers in the process. They take munitions from Fort Haldane and by dawn, hundreds of enslaved people join the rebellion. The British counter-attack, managing to capture and execute Tacky and several of his followers.

Although Tacky's War is quickly put down by British forces, it sparks several spin-off rebellions in the 1760s, including those led by Apongo and Simon. It takes months for the British to restore order, with several draconian laws passed and harsh punishments handed out to control enslaved people.

1769-1773 First Carib War

The First Carib War breaks out between the Kalinago (or Caribs) and the British on St Vincent (Indigenous name Hairoun). Led by Joseph Chatoyer, the Kalinago defend their land and rebuff British demands that they sell their land to the colonial government.

The British launch a full military attack on the Kalinago in 1772, but they struggle to overcome the Kalinago's defences. A peace agreement is signed in 1773, which defines boundaries between the British and the Kalinago.

1795-1797 Second Carib War

The Second Carib War erupts between the British and the Kalinago and runaway enslaved people on St Vincent. With the support of French revolutionaries, the Kalinago gain control of much of the island. The British struggle to control their territories, with disease, effective Kalinago defences, and support from the French stifling their advances. However, in 1797 the British suppress the Kalinago and deport them from the island to present-day Honduras.

1816 Bussa's Rebellion

The largest slave revolt in Barbados occurs between 14 and 16 April 1816. An enslaved man named Bussa joins forces with free people and other enslaved individuals to coordinate the rebellion. Bussa and his collaborators begin the revolt by leading around 400 enslaved people into battle. Bussa is killed but his forces continue fighting until they are eventually defeated by the British.

1823 Demerara rebellion

An uprising of over 10,000 enslaved people against British forces occurs between 18 and 20 August 1823 in the colony of Demerara-Essequibo (present-day Guyana). An enslaved man named Quamina leads the rebellion and asks his followers not to use violence. While some arrest British people and lock them in stocks, the majority of enslaved people do not use violence and the number of deaths is minimal. However, the rebellion is brutally suppressed by the British, with over 200 enslaved people killed. It has a strong impact on Britain, with the mass execution of enslaved people garnering support for the abolition of slavery.

1728-1740 First Maroon War

Jamaican Maroons and the colonial British authorities fight the First Maroon War. The Maroons are self-liberated people of African descent, who establish their own communities in Jamaica. The Windward Maroons, led by Queen Nanny and Quao, occupy Nanny Town in the north-east. The Leeward Maroons, led by Cudjoe, occupy areas in the south-west.

The Maroons use guerrilla tactics against the British, who realise they cannot defeat them. In 1739, they offer Cudjoe a peace treaty for the Leeward Maroons and a year later, they sign a treaty with Queen Nanny and Quao for the Windward Maroons. In exchange for peace, the British ask that the Maroons not harbour runaway enslaved people, which causes discontent among the Maroons as it means they are essentially supporting slavery.

The Maroons's success against the British inspire enslaved people in other colonies, such as Toussaint L'Ouverture in Haiti, to revolt against their captors.

1736 Prince Klaas's uprising in Antigua

From 1728 to 1736, Prince Klaas, an enslaved man, plots an uprising of enslaved people against the British in Antigua. They plan to execute all Europeans on the island and establish the Kingdom of Antigua. However, the British discover the uprising and Klaas, along with 88 other people, are executed for their proposed act of resistance.

Klaas, also known as Court, Tackey, or Kwaku, was kidnapped from the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana) at the age of 10 and taken to Antigua. He was installed as the King of the Black Antiguans during an Akan ritual. This act was viewed as an innocent symbol by the British plantation owners, but according to West African traditions was a declaration of war.

1760 Tacky's War in Jamaica

A widespread rebellion by enslaved people, led by Tacky, breaks out against the British in Jamaica. Tacky and his lieutenants plan to take over Jamaica and create a separate Black country. They are inspired by the success of the First Maroon War.

On 7 April 1760, Tacky and his followers begin the revolt, successfully taking over several plantations, killing European colonisers in the process. They take munitions from Fort Haldane and by dawn, hundreds of enslaved people join the rebellion. The British counter-attack, managing to capture and execute Tacky and several of his followers.

Although Tacky's War is quickly put down by British forces, it sparks several spin-off rebellions in the 1760s, including those led by Apongo and Simon. It takes months for the British to restore order, with several draconian laws passed and harsh punishments handed out to control enslaved people.

1769-1773 First Carib War

The First Carib War breaks out between the Kalinago (or Caribs) and the British on St Vincent (Indigenous name Hairoun). Led by Joseph Chatoyer, the Kalinago defend their land and rebuff British demands that they sell their land to the colonial government.

The British launch a full military attack on the Kalinago in 1772, but they struggle to overcome the Kalinago's defences. A peace agreement is signed in 1773, which defines boundaries between the British and the Kalinago.

1795-1797 Second Carib War

The Second Carib War erupts between the British and the Kalinago and runaway enslaved people on St Vincent. With the support of French revolutionaries, the Kalinago gain control of much of the island. The British struggle to control their territories, with disease, effective Kalinago defences, and support from the French stifling their advances. However, in 1797 the British suppress the Kalinago and deport them from the island to present-day Honduras.

1816 Bussa's Rebellion

The largest slave revolt in Barbados occurs between 14 and 16 April 1816. An enslaved man named Bussa joins forces with free people and other enslaved individuals to coordinate the rebellion. Bussa and his collaborators begin the revolt by leading around 400 enslaved people into battle. Bussa is killed but his forces continue fighting until they are eventually defeated by the British.

1823 Demerara rebellion

An uprising of over 10,000 enslaved people against British forces occurs between 18 and 20 August 1823 in the colony of Demerara-Essequibo (present-day Guyana). An enslaved man named Quamina leads the rebellion and asks his followers not to use violence. While some arrest British people and lock them in stocks, the majority of enslaved people do not use violence and the number of deaths is minimal. However, the rebellion is brutally suppressed by the British, with over 200 enslaved people killed. It has a strong impact on Britain, with the mass execution of enslaved people garnering support for the abolition of slavery.

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Slavery, Resistance, Abolition and Indentured Labour 1663-1838

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This timeline explores some of the events relating to slavery, resistance, abolition and indentured labourer between 1663 and 1838. Using a selection of items from the British Library's collections, it examines Britain's role in the slave trade across the British Empire.

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Lesson four: Political struggles and the Chartists

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Lesson four: Political struggles and the Chartists

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These lesson slides examine political struggles and the Chartists.

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Lesson three: The struggles for abolition

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Lesson three: The struggles for abolition

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These lesson slides explore Black abolitionists and the different ways they fought to end slavery.

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Lesson two: Black British 'Loyalists' from America

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Lesson two: Black British 'Loyalists' from America

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This lesson explores Black British 'Loyalists' from America.

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This lesson explores the lives of Black Georgian servants in Britain.

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Black lives in Britain, 1730-1850: student activities

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Black lives in Britain, 1730-1850: student activities

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Written by Abdul Mohamud and Robin Whitburn, these student activities support the GCSE thematic migration modules offered by OCR, AQA and Pearson.

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Black lives in Britain, 1730-1850: teachers' notes

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Black lives in Britain, 1730-1850: teachers' notes

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An enquiry written by Abdul Mohamud and Robin Whitburn to support the GCSE thematic migration modules offered by OCR, AQA and Pearson. It could also be used at Key Stage 3.

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We are the UK’s national library. Open to everyone and free to use. Explore our buildings, study, meet friends, attend an event and get free access to over 170 million items.

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Explore sources from the British Library's collections and learn about Black lives in Britain between 1730 and 1850.