Slavery and Abolition in the Atlantic World

further resources Drescher, Seymour. Abolition: A History of Slavery and Antislavery (2009)

Slavery in the Atlantic World ( )

chattel slavery

trade routes in the Atlantic system

the triangle trade (early 1500s to early 1800s)

Triangle Trade (Commodities) from Africa to the Americas: slaves

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

plan of the slave ship Brookes

Slavery in the Atlantic World ( ) chattel slavery slavery in the context of empire

“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 ( ) chattel slavery slavery in the context of empire Abolition in the Atlantic World (1780s-1888)

Slavery in the Atlantic World ( ) chattel slavery slavery in the context of empire Abolition in the Atlantic World (1780s-1888) France (revolution)

Abolition in the French Empire 1789: universal liberty in Declaration

Abolition in the French Empire 1789: universal liberty in Declaration 1791: slave revolt in St. Domingue

Abolition in the French Empire 1789: universal liberty in Declaration 1791: slave revolt in St. Domingue 1793: France abolishes slavery in French colonies (subsequently reinstated)

Abolition in the French Empire 1789: universal liberty in Declaration 1791: slave revolt in St. Domingue 1793: France abolishes slavery in French colonies (subsequently reinstated) 1798: Haitian independence

Abolition in the French Empire 1789: universal liberty in Declaration 1791: slave revolt in St. Domingue 1793: France abolishes slavery in French colonies (subsequently reinstated) 1798: Haitian independence 1825: France recognizes Haitian independence 1848: France abolishes slavery for the last time

Slavery in the Atlantic World ( ) chattel slavery slavery 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 trade

Abolition in the British Empire 1808: abolition of British slave trade 1831: abolition of all slave trade in the Atlantic

Abolition in the British Empire 1808: abolition of British slave trade 1831: abolition of all slave trade in the Atlantic 1833: passage of the Emancipation Act (provisions for apprenticeship)

Abolition in the British Empire 1808: abolition of British slave trade 1831: abolition of all slave trade in the Atlantic 1833: passage of the Emancipation Act (provisions for apprenticeship) 1838: abolition of slavery in British colonies