Fact Check: Majority of slave traders were jewish

The Claim: "Majority of slave traders were Jewish"

Introduction

The assertion that a majority of slave traders were Jewish has resurfaced in various discussions, often linked to broader narratives about historical culpability and societal roles. This claim raises significant historical questions regarding the involvement of Jewish individuals and communities in the transatlantic slave trade. However, the validity of this assertion is contested among historians and scholars, necessitating a thorough examination of the evidence and sources available.

What We Know

1. Historical Participation: Research indicates that while there were Jewish individuals involved in the slave trade, their participation was not dominant. For example, a review of the Jewish involvement in the British slave trade reveals that a small group of Jewish merchants from Rhode Island controlled less than 10% of the slave voyages during the 18th century 1.

2. Scholarly Consensus: Historians have largely dismissed the notion that Jews played a significant role in the slave trade. A Pitt historian noted that claims of Jewish dominance in the slave trade are unfounded and lack empirical support, labeling them as spurious 2.

3. Corrective Literature: The book "Jews, Slaves, and the Slave Trade" argues that the historical narrative attributing major roles in the slave trade to Jews is misleading and emphasizes the minimal nature of their involvement 3.

4. Wider Context: Wikipedia entries on Jewish views on slavery and the specific role of Jews in the American slave trade highlight that none of the major slave traders were Jewish, and Jews did not constitute a large proportion of any community involved in the trade 45.

5. Historical Origins of the Claim: Some scholars trace the origins of the claim that Jews controlled the slave trade to 19th-century historians, suggesting that these narratives were often exaggerated or misrepresented 9.

6. Contemporary Analysis: Articles from platforms like My Jewish Learning explain that while there were Jewish slave owners and traders, the overall impact and numbers were minimal compared to the broader population involved in the slave trade 8.

Analysis

The claim that a majority of slave traders were Jewish is supported by a limited number of historical accounts, which often lack comprehensive empirical backing. The sources that refute this claim, such as scholarly articles and books, provide a more nuanced understanding of the historical context.

• Source Reliability: The sources cited, particularly academic publications and peer-reviewed articles, are generally reliable. For instance, Project MUSE and JSTOR are reputable databases for scholarly work, and the historians referenced in the University Times and My Jewish Learning are established experts in their fields. However, Wikipedia, while a useful starting point, should be approached with caution as it can be edited by anyone and may not always reflect the most current scholarship.

• Potential Bias: Some sources may have inherent biases based on their affiliations or the contexts in which they were written. For example, publications that aim to debunk myths about Jewish involvement in the slave trade may emphasize the minimal role of Jews to counteract historical anti-Semitic narratives. Conversely, sources that propagate the claim may stem from agendas that seek to assign blame or perpetuate stereotypes.

• Methodological Concerns: The methodology behind historical claims regarding Jewish involvement in the slave trade often lacks rigorous statistical analysis or comprehensive data collection. Many assertions rely on anecdotal evidence or selective historical interpretations rather than a broad examination of available records.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that a majority of slave traders were Jewish is false. Key evidence indicates that while some Jewish individuals participated in the slave trade, their involvement was minimal, constituting less than 10% of the slave voyages in the 18th century. Scholarly consensus supports the view that Jews did not play a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade, and many historical narratives attributing major culpability to Jewish communities are unfounded and often stem from 19th-century exaggerations.

It is important to recognize that while this claim has been debunked, the historical context surrounding the transatlantic slave trade is complex and multifaceted. The available evidence primarily comes from reputable academic sources, yet there may still be gaps in the historical record that warrant further investigation. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider the broader implications of historical narratives, especially those that may perpetuate stereotypes or misinformation.

Sources

1. Project MUSE - Jews, Slaves, and the Slave Trade: Setting the Record Straight (review) https://muse.jhu.edu/article/17716/summary
2. University Times » Jews were never dominant in slave trade, Pitt historian says https://www.utimes.pitt.edu/archives/?p=4321
3. Project MUSE - Jews, Slaves, and the Slave Trade https://muse.jhu.edu/book/7824
4. Jewish views on slavery - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_views_on_slavery
5. Jews, Slaves and the Slave Trade - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews,_Slaves_and_the_Slave_Trade
6. Jews and the American Slave Trade (book) - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews_and_the_American_Slave_Trade_(book)
7. Opinion | HALF-TRUTHS AND HISTORY: THE DEBATE OVER JEWS AND SLAVERY - The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1993/10/17/half-truths-and-history-the-debate-over-jews-and-slavery/6b2b2453-01da-4429-bd50-beff03741418/
8. Where the False Claim That Jews Controlled the Slave Trade Comes From | My Jewish Learning https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/jews-and-the-african-slave-trade/
9. Full article: The Jewish ‘monopoly’ of the slave trade in the early Middle Ages: the origins of an enduring historical motif https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0031322X.2023.2287871
10. Jews, Slaves, and the Slave Trade: Setting the Record Straight on JSTOR https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt9qg5gs