Changing Political Attitudes As A Cause For The Abolition Of The Slave Trade Flashcards
What major event happened in America in 1783?
American War of Independence - Britain lost America as a colony
How did the American War of independence link to slavery humanitarian argument?
Able to raise questions over the liberty of men and the right of once country having control of another (due to cultural/political/identity differences)
How did the American War of Independence have a negative economic impact on slavery?
Loss of a colony which had borough many slaves ( in 1776, 26% of the American population were African)
How many years of fighting was the American War of independence, and why is this significant?
8 years, showed how resilient they were for freedom - slaves the same?
How did the American War for independence impact the political atmosphere on slavery ?
More care about human experiences - gave abolitionists drive for slavery argument
What other impacts did the American War of Independence have?
The loss of a British colony increased doubts over the stability of the slave trade
What act was passed in 1799?
Slave regulation act - further restrictions on slave carrying on a ship - strengthening of the Dolben Act
In what year did Napoleonic reintroduce slavery into French colonies?
1802
What were the impacts in Britain of Napoleon’s reintroduction to slavery?
Opposition of slave trade now became a more patriotic duty - greater support for Wilberforce with PM William Pitt until 1806 and PM William Grenville in 1807
What economic impacts did Napoleon’s reintroduction of slavery cause to Britain?
Reduced economic benefits as increased competition
What impacts did the reintroduction of slavery in France have on the public masses in Britain?
Abolition movement slowed since 1793 (Treason Act 1795) , but it reinforced public opinion on abolition as became more widely acceptable
Why did the French abolition of slavery in 1794 damage the abolition in Britain?
French Revolution in 1789 caused slavery to be abolished in 1794 due to liberal ideology - damaged British support as spread fears of revolution
How did the Government react in 1790s and what acts did they pass to further restrict progress for the abolition movement?
Government increased monitoring on abolition movements- Meeting Act (1795) and Treason trials (1793 and 94)
How was Napoleon’s reintroduction of slavery able to resurrect the abolition movement?
Reduced fear of revolution
What issues did were the government facing in the late 1700s, and how did that correlate to slavery?
Government were pressurised due to loss of America, Napoleonic Wars and Industrial Revolution - unable to deal with slave issues
How were slave rebellions able to increase movement for abolition?
Increased costs + pressure
What occurred in the Haitian Revolution?
Led by Toussaint Louverture, 1000 plantations burnt , 2000 Europeans killed (out of 12,000)
What year was the Haitian revolution?
1791
How did the Haitian revolution have a negative impact on the abolition movement?
Fears of revolution increased which would cause the collapse of economics within Britain, people more pro-slavery after
Why was the Haitian revolution not greatly impactful for Britain?
Haiti was a French-owned state
What countries in the Caribbean did Britain have issues with?
Grenada, St Vincent, British Virgin Islands
How did slave rebellions halt public support for abolition?
Pushing abolition was seen to be promoting slave rebellions
What impact did slave rebellions have on parliament!
William Pitt (PM) shifted to pro slavery again
What was the reaction by the government in Jamaica to stop rebellion?
Creation of a colonial assembly in 1792 , 1793 sent 3000 soldiers to neutralise the slave threat
What did the colonial assembly do in Jamaica to reduce the threat of revolution?
Abandoned the use of metal shackles for slaves and mutilation as punishment - better treatment reduced risk of revolutions
What British colony experienced slave rebellions in 1790?
British Virgin Islands
What were the economic impacts of trying to control these revolutions?
Greater costs + crop damages made the slave trade less profitable
Why was the timing of the rebellions important?
During the French Wars, Britain less focused on slavery + had more of an impact due to abolition movement declining
