The National Archives has recently received a generous grant of £1 million from the Lloyd’s Register Foundation for a groundbreaking new research program. This collaborative initiative, called PASSAGE (Partnership for Transatlantic Slavery Scholarship, Archiving and Global Exchange), aims to shed light on the history of the transatlantic trade in enslaved people.
This partnership between The National Archives and the Lloyd’s Register Foundation is a significant step towards uncovering and understanding the dark history of the transatlantic slave trade. The program will bring together scholars and archival collections from both institutions, as well as other organizations, to create a comprehensive and global perspective on this tragic chapter in human history.
The transatlantic slave trade was a horrific practice that involved the forced transportation of millions of Africans to the Americas between the 16th and 19th centuries. This trade was a major source of wealth for European countries and played a significant role in the development of the global economy. However, it also resulted in the brutal exploitation and suffering of millions of people, leaving a lasting impact on the world.
The PASSAGE program will focus on three main areas of research: scholarship, archiving, and global exchange. Through scholarship, the program aims to bring together experts from various disciplines to study the transatlantic slave trade from different perspectives. This will not only provide a deeper understanding of the trade itself but also its impact on societies and cultures around the world.
The archival aspect of the program will involve the digitization and preservation of important documents and records related to the transatlantic slave trade. This will not only make these valuable resources more accessible to researchers but also ensure their preservation for future generations. The National Archives, with its vast collection of historical documents, will play a crucial role in this process.
The global exchange component of the program will facilitate collaboration between institutions and researchers from different countries. This will allow for a more comprehensive and diverse approach to studying the transatlantic slave trade, taking into account its impact on various regions and cultures.
The National Archives and the Lloyd’s Register Foundation are both committed to promoting knowledge and understanding of the past. This partnership is a testament to their dedication to preserving and sharing the history of the transatlantic slave trade. By working together, they hope to create a platform for open and honest dialogue about this dark period in human history.
The PASSAGE program is not only significant in terms of research and education but also in promoting social justice and reconciliation. By acknowledging and studying the past, we can learn from it and work towards a better future. This program will also serve as a reminder of the resilience and strength of those who were enslaved and their descendants.
The National Archives and the Lloyd’s Register Foundation are grateful for the support of the PASSAGE program by the UK government and other organizations. This grant will enable them to carry out this important work and make a significant contribution to our understanding of the transatlantic slave trade.
In conclusion, the PASSAGE program is a groundbreaking initiative that will bring together scholars and archival collections to study the transatlantic slave trade in a comprehensive and global manner. This collaborative effort between The National Archives and the Lloyd’s Register Foundation is a significant step towards promoting knowledge and understanding of this dark period in human history. We look forward to the valuable insights and discoveries that will come out of this program and its impact on society.
