What was the main reason for abolishing the slave trade in 1807?

Question 1

How did the economic landscape play a crucial role in the abolition of the slave trade?

Answer 1

By the early 19th century, Britain had undergone significant industrialisation and was transitioning into an economy increasingly reliant on wage labour rather than enslaved labour

Question 2

The emergence of new economic systems (such as the Industrial Revolution) brought about shifts in…

Answer 2

labour demands and contributed to a re-evaluation of the profitability and sustainability of the slave trade

Question 3

What significantly disrupted the Transatlantic Slave Trade?

Answer 3

The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

Question 4

How did the The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars significantly disrupt the Transatlantic Slave Trade?

Answer 4

The French Revolution brought about the abolition of slavery and serfdom in the French colonies

Napolean Bonaparte came to power and reintroduced slavery in French colonies in 1802

Britain wanted to destabilise French colonies and aligned with the ex-slaves against the French

Question 5

Opposition to the abolition crumbles and both Houses of Parliament passed…

Answer 5

the Slave Trade Act by large majorities in 1807, officially ending Britain’s role in the slave trade