Emancipation of Slaves in Britain
London Abolition Committee
The abolition began in 1780’s with London Abolition Committee and the Committee for Abolition of African Slave Trade. Thomas Clarkson and William Wilberforce were two of the most influential in this movement. The Committee wrote books and pamphlets for the anti-slavery movement. Wilberforce introduced the Abolition Act many times before Parliament, getting rejected over and over.
William Wilberforce
William Wilberforce was elected to Parliament at the age of only 21. He was elected to represented Yorkshire, one of Britain's largest counties. He was possibly the most influential antislavery figure in Great Britain. He fought for abolition of slavery the entire time he served, but had a tough time succeeding considering the plantation owners were well connected with Parliament. Wilberforce collected petitions, organized meetings, and even organized a boycott on sugar for the cause. He not only believed that the slaves needed to be freed but he also believed that Britain owed Africa reparations. Proving how much he cared for the slaves freedom, he died 3 days following the freedom of the slaves.
The 1800's
During this time, Britain was at war with France. There was a large surplus of British Carribbean products, but very little demand because of increased output of rival countries of the same goods. The war expenses were also hindering their ability to trade. The need for slaves was relatively low at this point so many abolitionists argued that slave trade could end because slavery was losing its benefits. Since the Economic cost of ending the slave trade, the Slave Trade Act of 1807 legally ended the trade of slaves. It did not stop everyone though. Some were willing to pay the fine for slave trade and do it anyway. The abolishment of slavery itself was not given the necessary attention because of the war.
The London Anti-Slavery Committee
London Antislavery Committee was formed in 1823. It had many of the same members of the Abolition Committee. They realized immediate emancipation was impossible because of the failed attempts by the Abolition Committee. Instead they initially settled for improving slaves conditions with the idea it would turn to gradual emancipation. They succeeded in lessening the slaves hours of labor, and removing physical punishment. This did not keep them satisfied for long, and they began to increase the pressure to end slavery.
The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833
This Act had 3 major aspects. They were,
-It freed slaves under the age of four.
-It implemented a forced apprenticeship of six years that the slave must serve for the former master. Conditions were not much different from slavery.
-Finally, the government gave £20 million to former slave owners for their lost “property”
Morality of the Emancipation
The British Emancipation has been called the “most humane and merciful Act which was ever passed by any Legislature in the world.” (Robert William Fogel. The Rise and Fall of American Slavery: Without Consent or Contract. Pg. 215) There was a large group of people who were genuine in their concern and a smaller group who devoted much of their lives to the cause. Many say that because the British were willing to spend £20 million to free the slaves, they proved their character.
Despite the large number of those who deserve so much credit for their character, those who had control dismissed the issue for too long to be considered ethical. The £20 million spent to end slavery should not be considered generous, rather unnecessary and insulting because it was to compensate slave owners for lost “property.” For the emancipation to be considered humane, the slaves should have regarded as human beings.
