Colonial Office Records

On the Record at The National Archives

The Colonial Office was the government department responsible for Britain’s colonies at various points throughout the 18th to 20th centuries. It issued instructions to colonial governors, authorised expenditures, and determined the broad direction of policy for the Empire.

In this episode, we look at three documents that provide insight into the experiences of people living under British rule: a 1921 letter from black sailors in Wales to the Prime Minister inspired by Garveyism; a 17th-century slave-trading ship's journal; and service records of African soldiers fighting in World War I. 

For a transcript and information about the documents used in this episode visit our show notes: https://bit.ly/ColRec2

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