What did the increase in ships in the West Africa Squadron from 2 to 32 signify?

The increase in the number of ships in the West Africa Squadron from 2 to 32 signifies a heightened commitment by the naval forces of the time, particularly the Royal Navy, towards ending the transatlantic slave trade. This dramatic escalation in resources was a direct response to the widespread and horrific practice of slave trading that was occurring across the coast of West Africa.

With more ships deployed, the West Africa Squadron had a greater capacity to patrol the waters, intercept slave ships, and enforce the laws that were being established to curtail and ultimately abolish slavery. This strategic increase in naval presence represented a serious and tangible effort to combat the illegal trade, protect human rights, and promote humanitarian values in the face of a significant moral crisis of the era.

The focus on the abolition of slavery was a shifting societal priority at that time, reflected in both policy and military actions. The increase in ships, therefore, is not simply a statistical measure but a clear signal of an intensified moral and operational stance against the slave trade.