history montrope Flashcards
Granville Sharp got involved in the slavery issue with the Johnathan Strong case
1760s
James Sommerset case led to the Mansfield Judgement; it was a landmark victory for the humanitarians as it abolished slavery in Britain.
1772
- They tried to get the slave trade abolished; however they lacked effective power. They needed the weapon of the public on their side.
Eventually other religions joined them (Methodist, Moravians, Baptists) and their goal appeared much closer.
1770s
Quakers formed “The Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade” and included men like G. Sharp, Thomas Clarkson and J. Wedgewood. That same year, William Wilberforce was enlisted. Although Thinkers, writers and poets had been busy molding the minds of the public through their attacks on slavery, the Humanitarians knew that it was insufficient. They also needed support from Parliament.
1787
W. Wilberforce made his first speech in Parliament against the slave trade. Meanwhile, Clarkson systematically gathered evidence; he visited Liverpool and Bristol slaving ports collecting data from the trade, which the pro-slavery force would be unable to refute. He gathered evidence from seamen, merchants, ship doctors and travelers; he collected instruments of trade such as leg shackles, handcuffs, thumbscrews and mouth openers.
1789
The cumulative effect of the anti-slavery activities, especially the rousing public sympathies, led finally to the passing of the Abolition Act
1807
When did the Abolition Act come into effect
1808
They tried to pass the Slave Registration Act; a periodic census of slaves supervised by the Br. Government; it would help to detect and hopefully prevent illegal trafficking of slaves as well as expose the cruelties of slave owners.
However there was a loud outcry from the planters as it was seen as interfering in their internal affairs.
1815
This was suggested by the WI interest (to kill adverse criticism as well as to postpone emancipation) and condoned by the Humanitarians; the Br. Government passed an Act to force improvements in slave conditions. The policy involved provision for moral and religious instruction of slaves. It was an effort to create persons who would fit the European’s concept of what it meant to be ‘civilized’’ i.e. eradicate the naturally savage and barbaric tendencies of the Negro so that when full emancipation came he would be ready for ‘civilized’ society.
This only worked in Crown Colonies (Trinidad, St. Lucia and Br. Guiana). The colonies once again saw this as interference in their internal affairs. Although a few colonies did pass a few laws as far as clear improvement in slaves’ conditions was concerned, it was considered a failure.
1823
Demerara Revolt
1823
Jamaican Revolt
1831
The passing of the Great Reform Act
1832
Emancipation Act
1833
However the strong anti-abolitionists presence in parliament meant that for a long time this was impossible.
This was the work of the West India Interest – absentee/visiting proprietor, merchants and agents. They:
-Were considered the “eyes, ears and mouthpiece of the WI planters.”
-Defended slavery and the interests of the BWI planters by whatever means possible.
-Also succeeded in slowing down the pace of abolition and emancipation.
-Persuaded the Br. Gov’t that the Registry Acts should be passed (1815-1816) by WI legislatures and not Br. Parliament.
-Proposed Amelioration as a ploy to delay emancipation.
one reason for le clerc request for reinforcement
yellow fever decimated charles le clerc troops who were sent by french authorities to restore slavery
