further resources
• Drescher, Seymour. Abolition: A History of Slavery and Antislavery (2009)
• http://www.slavevoyages.org/tast/index.faces
Triangle Trade (Commodities)
• from Africa to the Americas: slaves• from the Americas to Europe: indigo, silver,
coffee, cocoa, tobacco, and, above all else, sugar
Triangle Trade (Commodities)
• from Africa to the Americas: slaves• from the Americas to Europe: indigo, silver,
coffee, cocoa, tobacco, and, above all else, sugar
• from Europe to Africa: silver buckles, Virginia tobacco, Bordeaux wines, London scarlets, Brittany linens, Flemish knives, brandy, glasses, hats
“By the common law, no man can have property in another, but only in special cases, as in a villein, or in captives took in war . . .: there is no such thing as a slave by the law of England.”
-Chief Justice John Holt (1705)
The power of a master over his slave has been different in different countries. The state of slavery is of such a nature that it is incapable of being introduced on any reasons, moral or political, but only positive law, which preserves its force long after the reasons, occasion, and time itself from which it was created, is erased from memory. It is so odious that nothing can be suffered to support it but positive law. Whatever inconveniences, therefore, may follow from a decision, I cannot say this case is allowed or approved by the law of England, and therefore the black must be discharged.
-Lord Mansfield, Somerset decision (1772) (emphasis mine)
Slavery in the Atlantic World (1475-1888)chattel slaveryslavery in the context of empire
Abolition in the Atlantic World (1780s-1888)
Slavery in the Atlantic World (1475-1888)chattel slaveryslavery in the context of empire
Abolition in the Atlantic World (1780s-1888)France (revolution)
Abolition in the French Empire
1789: universal liberty in Declaration1791: slave revolt in St. Domingue
Abolition in the French Empire
1789: universal liberty in Declaration1791: slave revolt in St. Domingue1793: France abolishes slavery in French
colonies (subsequently reinstated)
Abolition in the French Empire
1789: universal liberty in Declaration1791: slave revolt in St. Domingue1793: France abolishes slavery in French
colonies (subsequently reinstated)1798: Haitian independence
Abolition in the French Empire
1789: universal liberty in Declaration1791: slave revolt in St. Domingue1793: France abolishes slavery in French
colonies (subsequently reinstated)1798: Haitian independence1825: France recognizes Haitian independence1848: France abolishes slavery for the last time
Slavery in the Atlantic World (1475-1888)chattel slaveryslavery in the context of empire
Abolition in the Atlantic World (1780s-1888)France (revolution)Britain (reform)
Abolition in the British Empire
1808: abolition of British slave trade1831: abolition of all slave trade in the Atlantic
Abolition in the British Empire
1808: abolition of British slave trade1831: abolition of all slave trade in the Atlantic1833: passage of the Emancipation Act (provisions for apprenticeship)