Abolitionist campaigners and their methods

Question 1

Granville Sharp

Answer 1

Sharp was a lawyer who fought for the freedom of slaves in court, this helped to end the slave trade

Question 2

Thomas Clarkson

Answer 2

He travelled Britain giving talks to the public on the harsh treatments of slaves. He collected equipment from slave ships such as thumb screws and manacles to use as visual evidence of the cruel treatments of slaves to sock the public

Question 3

William Wilberforce

Answer 3

• He was an MP who campaigned against the slave trade for 20 years
• He gave regular speeches and proposed anti-slavery laws in parliament
• He was very persuasive and knowledgeable

Question 4

Equiano

Answer 4

• He was a slave but bought his freedom and went on to write a book about his life in slavery called ‘An interesting narrative’
• This changed many people’s views on the slave trade by making them see how horrific it was

Question 5

The Quakers

Answer 5

• They were a religious group who condemned slavery
• They said slavery was against God’s will
• Religion proved to be a huge influence as many people were christians and so adopted the quaker’s views and attitudes towards slavery

Question 6

John Newton

Answer 6

• He was a former slave ship captain
• He wrote a book about the evils of the slave trade and spoke at public meetings

Question 7

what methods did abolitionists used

Answer 7

1. They wrote books, newspapers, pamphlets and leaflets that had arguments against the trade
2. Some MPs such as William Wilberforce gave speeches in parliament against the slave trade he also tried to introduce laws against it
3. People started boycotting sugar, which caused some damage to the profitability of the slave trade. This movement particularly appealed to women
4. Public meetings were held across the country, and would have people like former slaves speaking at them
5. The abolitionists put forward many petitions to the government for the slave trade to stop, and collected thousands of signatures
6. Religious groups spoke out against the trade both at religious services and other special meetings too

Question 8

why the slave trade ended

Answer 8

1. The idea of ending the trade was popular amongst the British population
2. Many Christians believed it was against God and the word of the bible
3. The abolitionists were effective in highlighting the horrors of the trade
4. Enslaved people were denied their freedom and their human rights. Many British sailors died in the triangular trade. The slave trade brutalised all who took part in it
5. The trade in general was becoming less profitable, the growth of trade to the Far East and India meant Britain no longer needed the slave trade
6. The British industry no longer depended so heavily on the slave trade. The Industrial Revolution was in full swing - new British factories had many vacancies for unemployed people

Question 9

why did it take so long to end the slave trade

Answer 9

1. The slave trade brought wealth to Britain, so was popular with those who became wealthy
2. Profits from the trade were essential to fund the war with France
3. Many MPs had financial interests in the slave trade, so wished to see it continue
4. The slave trade brought employment to Britain in areas such as shipyards, ports, mills, manufacturing, so was supported many involved in these industries
5. The products of the slave trade were in great demand (eg cotton, tobacco and sugar) and many believed that slavery was needed in order to meet demand for these products
6. Involvement in the slave trade helped Britain to remain a world power, so many continued to support slavery