Abolition of the Slave Trade

Causes

Key campaigners

One of the reasons that people began to accept that slavery was wrong was the comparison of working conditions with those in the factories in Britain where white workers were referred to as ‘white slaves’.Some people realised that if they objected to the treatment of factory workers in Britain then they should also oppose slavery.

Economics

There was a decline in the economic benefits of slavery.Adam Smith argued that slavery was making less money than it used to and therefore wasn’t worth maintaining.Sugar could be imported more cheaply from Brazil and Cuba.There was no longer any need for the British to grow it for themselves.

Slave resistance

The Maroon slaves in Jamaica had escaped from their plantations when the British took control of Jamaica in 1655.They lived in the mountains ad celebrated their native African culture.The British knew that if word spread of this group, they would face slave rebellions everywhere so they negotiated and managed to control the rebellions.

In 1804 Toussaint L’Ouverture led the slaves of St Dominique to a victory (killed white slave owners, set fire to sugar crops) and slavery was abolished on the French island.It was declared an independent island and renamed Haiti.

Development

Many of the wealthy in Britain had become wealthy either directly through the slave trade by via associated industries such as ship or rope making. They were reluctant to abolish slavery as it made them powerful.

The Society of the Abolition of Slavery was led by William Wilberforce and others. They held public meetings to educate people, produced pamphlets and posters, and wore badges to display their membership.

Workers in Manchester signed a petition which by 1792, a quarter of the population of Manchester had signed.

Many women were involved in the campaign for example, Hannah More, who wrote poems for the movement.

There were 73 organisations against slavery run by women in 1833.

The Abolition of Slavery Act was passed in 1833. It only instantly free slaves under the age of 6.

Consequences

William Wilberforce was criticised for agreeing to the staged abolition of slavery. He argued that slaves had not been educated and they would have to be trained to live outside the shackles of slavery. Many others disagreed and campaigned for the immediate release of slaves.

Many slaves were sacked if they refused to live in their old slave quarters and the smuggling of slaves became a problem. Slaves were smuggled in secret in worse conditions than before as there was no-one to regulate.

Significance

Short term

Slaves under the age of 6 freed in 1833.
Age categories were created to promise freedom after four years.

Long term

Britain increased pressure on other nations to abolish slavery making a positive change for black people globally.