The End of the Slave TradeThe End of the Slave Trade

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► By the 18By the 18thth century, century, Britain had become the Britain had become the largest exporter of largest exporter of African slaves from African slaves from AfricaAfrica

► By 1800, more than half By 1800, more than half of the captives taken of the captives taken from West Africa had from West Africa had been carried across the been carried across the Atlantic in British shipsAtlantic in British ships

► However, Britain would However, Britain would be the FIRST major be the FIRST major European country to quit European country to quit the slave trade, and will the slave trade, and will outlaw the trade in 1807.outlaw the trade in 1807.

Reasons for British Change of Heart?

1.Social Reform Movements

2.Economic Changes

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Social ReformSocial Reform

Several major events willSeveral major events willtranspire in the years leadingtranspire in the years leadingup to Britain’s abolishment ofup to Britain’s abolishment ofslavery:slavery:

A) The American RevolutionA) The American Revolution(“All Men Are Created (“All Men Are Created

Equal.”)Equal.”)B) The French RevolutionB) The French Revolution

(“Liberty, Equality, (“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.”)Fraternity.”)

C) Religious Reform MovementsC) Religious Reform Movements D) Rise of British Intellectualism: D) Rise of British Intellectualism:

Founded a Society for the Abolition Founded a Society for the Abolition of Slavery- pressured the govt. to of Slavery- pressured the govt. to outlaw the slave trade.outlaw the slave trade.http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Img/

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Economic Economic ReasonsReasons

► The slave trade had The slave trade had become less profitable for become less profitable for the British for FOUR the British for FOUR reasons:reasons:

1.1. French West Indies French West Indies produced sugar more produced sugar more cheaply and was cheaply and was underselling the Britishunderselling the British

2.2. Slave rebellions in the Slave rebellions in the Caribbean had become Caribbean had become more frequentmore frequent

3.3. Price of slaves in the West Price of slaves in the West Indies had increased Indies had increased substantiallysubstantially

4.4. A rise in industrialization A rise in industrialization had begun in England. had begun in England. Local industry was more Local industry was more palatable than plantations palatable than plantations to many investors to many investors

Why not use slaves in the factories in England? Why would Britain choose wage labor over slave labor?

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1807- Britain Outlaws Slave 1807- Britain Outlaws Slave TradeTrade

► British vessels and British vessels and British citizens are British citizens are forbidden by the govt. forbidden by the govt. to participate in the to participate in the slave tradeslave trade

► Many still continued to Many still continued to practice the slave trade practice the slave trade anyway…besides other anyway…besides other European countries are European countries are doing it, right?doing it, right?

► A British Anti-Slavery A British Anti-Slavery Squadron of ships was Squadron of ships was sent to the West sent to the West African coast- Would African coast- Would stop slave ships and stop slave ships and set the slaves free.set the slaves free.

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What do YOU think?What do YOU think?