Abolition in Britain: who are the significant figures?
Building a convincing case for abolition took centuries of resistance and decades of campaigning, which cannot be attributed to any one group. In each slaving state some individuals stand out as of major importance.
- Thomas Clarkson, a British lobbyist.
- William Wilberforce, a relentless parliamentarian.
- Ignatius Sancho, author of Letters of Ignatius Sancho.
- Olaudah Equiano, author of The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano.
The works of Sancho and Equiano became bestsellers and reprinted many times. They are still available today.
Millions of others took part in small and large acts of resistance and their bravery and sacrifice must also be recognized.
Beginnings
A small number of British reformers and liberals in the 18th century began to argue that slavery was immoral. Some supported runaway slaves, others publicly argued for abolition of the trade.
In 1772 the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Mansfield ruled in the Somerset Case that nobody brought to England could be sent back to the colonies as a slave against their will.
In May 1787 the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade was established and the process of trying to raise public awareness, campaign funds and evidence began on a significant scale.
Women campaigners
Women were key players in the anti-slavery movement especially in Quaker and evangelical Christian circles, who were among the earliest campaigners.
Influencing public opinion
Making people aware of the horrific nature of the Transatlantic Slave Trade depended on informing public opinion in an age when few people could vote. The following methods were adopted:
- Anti-slavery books
- Abolititionist prints, posters and pamphlets.
- Petitions presented to the House of Commons
- Anti-slavery rallies.
- Anti-slavery medallions, crockery and bronze figurines
Famous porcelain manufacturer Josiah Wedgwood created anti-slavery chinaware. Even the royal family were caricatured by Gillray as taking part in the popular boycott of plantation-harvested sugar.
Changing the law – in stages
Abolishing slavery was a drawn-out process. Raising public awareness about the nature of the trade was the first victory, partially secured by exposing the mortality levels and conditions on ships for the crews. This also led to new regulations for the capacity of, and conditions on, the slaving vessels.
In 1807, Parliament outlawed British involvement in the slave trade. From that point on the Royal Navy positioned ships along the west coast of Africa and into East Africa and the Caribbean to enforce the ban. This was a much needed intervention since slaves were still being intercepted in the 1880s.
Further lobbying continued and in 1833 an Act to abolish slavery was passed by Parliament and came into force in 1834. This meant that all those enslaved and over six years old were transferred to the status of 'indentured labourer’ prior to full emancipation in 1838.
Also of interest
- Atlantic Worlds – A gallery exploring the relationships between Britain, Africa and the Americas, 1600-1850