Summary How did people in Britain oppose the Transatlantic Slave Trade ?
3 views 0 purchase
Course
History
Institution
Other
How did people in Britain oppose the Transatlantic Slave Trade ?. This document includes information on the opposition of the transatlantic slave trade , people of colour's contribution to the britain's military achievement : Samuel Hodge, Mary Seacole, Mahatma Gandhi and Walter Tull. More about th...
How did people in Britain oppose the Transatlantic
Slave Trade 1663-1833?
The opposition to the Transatlantic Slave Trade in Britain between
1663 and 1833 was spearheaded by various groups and individuals
who used a range of methods to fight against the inhumane
practice. This opposition grew over time, evolving from isolated
voices to a widespread abolitionist movement by the late 18th and
early 19th centuries. Here's an overview of how people in Britain
opposed the slave trade during this period:
Literature and Pamphleteering: One of the earliest forms of
opposition was through the dissemination of anti-slavery
literature. Pamphlets, books, and poems highlighted the
brutality of the slave trade and the inhumanity of slavery.
Writers such as Olaudah Equiano and Thomas Clarkson
published influential accounts and essays that provided
firsthand evidence of the atrocities committed during the slave
trade, helping to inform and mobilize public opinion.
The Formation of Abolitionist Groups: Organised
abolitionist groups began to form in the late 18th century. The
Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade, formed
in 1787, was particularly influential. Founded by Thomas
Clarkson, Granville Sharp, and other activists, the society
worked to gather evidence, lobby parliamentarians, and raise
public awareness about the realities of slavery.
Petition Drives: Abolitionists organised petition drives that
gathered massive public support. These petitions were a
critical part of the movement, demonstrating widespread
national opposition to the slave trade. For instance, in 1787, a
, petition drive gathered over 100,000 signatures in Britain, a
significant achievement at the time.
Political Lobbying: Abolitionists actively lobbied politicians to
enact legislation against the slave trade. William Wilberforce,
a member of Parliament, became a leading voice against the
slave trade within the government. He introduced the first bill
to abolish the trade in 1791, and although it was initially
defeated, persistent efforts led to the eventual passage of the
Slave Trade Act in 1807, which made the slave trade illegal
within the British Empire.
Economic Boycotts: In the late 18th century, abolitionists
encouraged the public to boycott goods produced by slave
labour, such as sugar from the West Indies. These boycotts
aimed to put economic pressure on industries that relied on
slave labour, thereby reducing the profitability of slavery.
Public Meetings and Lectures: Abolitionists held public
meetings and lectures to educate the public about the evils of
the slave trade. These events were often packed and served
to rally public support and stimulate community action against
the trade.
Support from Religious Groups: Many religious groups,
particularly the Quakers, were actively involved in the
abolitionist movement. Their moral and ethical objections to
slavery played a significant role in shaping public opinion and
influencing political action.
Legal Action and Court Cases: Some abolitionists used the
courts to challenge the legality of slavery and the slave trade,
supporting cases that brought the plight of individual slaves to
public attention.
The abolition of the British slave trade in 1807 was a significant
victory for the abolitionist movement, but it did not end slavery itself
in the British colonies. Abolitionists continued to campaign against
,slavery, leading to the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, which
emancipated slaves in most British colonies. The multifaceted
opposition in Britain was crucial in these achievements, highlighting
a sustained and dedicated effort spanning many decades.
Why did people oppose slavery? Olaudah Equiano
Source A: an extract from 'Kidnapped, a book written by
Olaudah Equiano. Equiano was an abolitionist who had been
enslaved when he was a child in Africa. He was able to
purchase his freedom in 1766, spending the remainder of his
life in Britain.
Equiano describes being first taken away into slavery:
'I now saw myself deprived of all chance of returning to my native
country, My present situation was filled with horrors of every kind. I
was soon put down under the decks, and there I received such a
salutation (smell) in my nostrils as I had never experienced in my
life: so that, with the loathsomeness of the stench, and crying
together, I became so sick and low that I was not able to eat, nor
had I the least desire to taste anything. I now wished for the last
friend, Death, to relieve me, but soon, to my grief, two of the white
men offered me food; and, on thy refusing to eat, one of them held
ma fast by the hands, and laid me across and led my feet, while he
other flogged me severely. I had never experienced anything of this
kind before. I would have jumped over the side, but I could not and
besides, the crew used to watch us very closely who were not
chained down to the decks, lest we should leap into the water, and I
have seen some of these poor Africansoners most severely cut, for
attempting to do so, and hourly whipped for not eating. This indeed
was often the case with myself.
, How did people in Britain oppose slavery between 1663-1807 ?
How did people in Britain oppose the Transatlantic Slave
Trade?
1. Abolitionist and anti-slavery organisations
- In May 1787, the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the
Slave Trade (SEAST), was founded. Led by abolitionists like
Thomas Clarkson, the group organised public speeches and
rallies to raise awareness about the injustices and cruelty of
slavery. Other groups like the Sons of Africa gave public
lectures about the immorality of the slave trade.
2. Publishing anti-slavery pamphlets and literature
- Pamphlets and literature were a key part of the opposition
towards slavery. For example, Cugoano highlighted the pain
and suffering of enslaved Africans in his book entitled
"Thoughts and Sentiments on the Evils of Slavery'. These
books were and other pamphlets were widely published and
read by many who were interested by public speeches and
lectures.
3. Protests against Parliament and political action
- Aspiring politicians like William Wilberforce helped to raise
awareness of the wrongs of the Slave Trade in Parliament. He
launched several petitions (over 519 petitions were launched
in Parliament) despite continued opposition. returning to
Parliament every year to launch a new campaign.
4. Boycotting goods from the Slave Trade
- In order to try and raise awareness of the Slave Trade many
people in Britain stopped buying goods linked to it. A famous
campaign was the sugar abstention campaign, where people
stopped buying sugar. At its peak, the abstention campaign of
1791-92 is said to have involved as many as 300,000 people
and was supported by groups like the Birmingham Ladies
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller CarMay. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $5.97. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
