Causes and Impacts of the Abolition of Slavery in the Nineteenth Century

Key ideas to be covered

What were the reasons for the abolition of slavery in the British Empire and did it improve the lives of formally enslaved peoples?
Why was there a revolt on Saint Domingue? How successful was the Haitian Revolution?
Why was Slavery such a divisive issue in the USA? How beneficial was emancipation for former enslaved peoples?

This year in history we have slightly altered the focus of our unit on the African slave trade. In Brazilian social studies you will focus on the horrific conditions suffered by the enslaved peoples of West Africa, both in being transported across the Atlantic and the inhuman working conditions of the plantation economy. In history we are going to examine how the practice came to an end in three different slave societies. The USA and the British and French Empires. We are going to start with Britain.

As the trade in enslaved people reached its peak in the 1780s, more and more people began to voice concerns about the moral implications of slavery and the brutality of the system. From the beginning, the inhuman trade had caused controversy. London was the focus for the abolition campaign, being home both to Parliament and to the important financial institutions of the City.
As early as 1776, the House of Commons debated a motion 'that the slave trade is contrary to the laws of God and the rights of men'. We are going to look at the three explanations most frequently used to explain the abolishment of the Slave Trade. First is the moral pressure brought by middle class campaigners to end the practice. Secondly, the violent and non-violent means employed by those in bondage to end their suffering. Finally we will look at the changing economic environment which made slavery increasingly anachronistic.

The pro-slavery campaigners had argued that with no new enslaved Africans being traded slave-owners would treat their existing slaves better. However, it was clear that enslaved people were still harshly treated and many continued to resist and rebel against their enslavement. In 1833 Parliament passed a further act to abolish slavery in the British West Indies. Even now it is debatable how far former enslaved peoples lives improved following emancipation. Controversially, former slave owners received compensation, while those who had laboured for free received none, and were expected to build a new life with no assets or education.

Abolition of Slavery in the British Empire