25 March 2007 will mark 200 years since the 1807 Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, which outlawed the slave trade throughout the British Empire. Slavery had been abolished by law, but it would take many years to take full effect throughout the empire.
There are so many aspects to this complex history. There are different and very strongly held views as to the historical facts of the Trans-Atlantic slavery, the moral and legal responsibilities of those involved, and the lasting effects of slavery in this country and abroad.
In 1807 law was passed to abolish the Transatlantic Slave Trade, however slaves were not given full freedom until 1838. Some praise the achievement of the abolitionist campaigner, William Wilberforce MP, others question the decision to have compensation paid to slave owners, including the Church of England. To most the abolition of slavery was accepted as an act of humanitarianism, to others economic factors were principle reason, claiming that from the 1770s onwards the British slave owner position in the Caribbean was waning.
Britain was not unique in its involvement in the slave trade, nor was it the only country to benefit financially. Many European countries were active in slave trading including the French, Spanish and Portuguese colonies, however Britain became dominant. African rulers and traders also helped to provide the supply of slaves.
Many are familiar with the `heroes` of the abolition movement William Wilberforce, Olaudah Equiano, and Ignatius Sancho but there were many others involved along the way, freedom fighters, including Queen Nanny, Bussa, Paul Bogle, to name but a few played key roles in de stabilising the British position in the Caribbean. Those who fought against slavery, signed petitions, marched and lobbied for change, came from all backgrounds, they included slaves, former slaves, community leaders, and ordinary British citizens.
2007 could provide the opportunity for the British government to lead the way and recognise and acknowledge the wrongs of history, and its continuing effects. The Bicentenary provides the opportunity to learn remember the millions of victims of the trade, to pay tribute all those both black and white, who brought it to an end.
SLAVE TRADE TIMELINE
1555: John Lok, a merchant from London journeys to West Africa and brings African men from the coast of Ghana to England. |
1562: First English slave expedition by Sir John Hawkins. Sir John Hawkins, became a sea captain and in 1562 became the first Englishman to start capturing people in Sierra Leone, to sell in Hispanola (Haiti and Dominican Republic) The following year his cousin was Francis Drake, who joined him in these activities. Hawkins was knighted by Elizabeth I. Sir John Hawkins continued on another voyage to the Caribbean and died in Puerto Rico in 1595. Read more about John Hawkins |
1596: Queen Elizabeth I issues a proclamation saying that `all Negroes and blackamores` are to be arrested and expelled from the kingdom. |
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1621: The first written evidence of Black people being sold in this country. William Bragge claims £6875 from the East India Company for assorted goods, including "thirteen negroes or Indian people" - |
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1626: First boat arrives in St. Kitts full of African slaves. |
1631: Charles I grants monopoly on Guinea trade to a group of London merchants |
1655: British capture Jamaica from Spain |
1672: Royal Africa Company is established granting a monopoly on the English Slave Trade. |
1698: In 1698, Parliament yielded to their demands and opened the slave trade to all. With the end of the monopoly, the number of slaves transported on English ships would increase dramatically -- to an average of over 20,000 a year. |
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1772: illegal to remove a slave from England against his will Slavery declared illegal in England, ireland and Wales. Lord Mansfield played a key role in ending slavery in England, by his judgment in Somerset`s Case. |
1778: Slavery declared illegal in Scotland |
1787: Ottobah Cugoano publishes the first attack on slavery written by an ex-slave: Thoughts and Sentiments on the Evil and Wicked Traffic of the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species. |
1789: Olaudah Equiano, freed slave and prominent campaigner against slavery, publishes his autobiography becoming highly influential in the anti-slavery movement, `The Interesting Narratives of the Life of Olaudah Equiano`. |
1791: William Wilberforce introduced the first Parliamentary motion to abolish the slave trade in Britain and its possessions. |
1794: Following a rebellion led by Toussaint L`Ouverture on the island of St. Domingo, the French government abolishes slavery among its colonies. Napoleon Bonaparte then imprisons Toussaint and re-establishes the slave trade in 1802. |
1807: 25 March 2007 Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. |
1833: Abolition of Slavery British Empire Bill passed, with effect from 1834 and providing for up to six year ‘apprentice’ transition £20M as compensation to slave owners |
1838: 1 August - enslaved men, women and children in British Empire became free |
1842: Britain & US signed Webster-Ashburton Treaty, banning slave trade on high seas |
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