Anti-slavery movements

The Age of Enlightenment

During the eighteenth century, Enlightenment ideas led to a growing

dislike for slavery and a concern about the welfare of enslaved Africans
across the Atlantic world. Events such as the American Revolutionary
War, the French and Haitian Revolutions, and the abolitionist movement
for emancipation helped to merge ideas and action.

British anti-slavery movements

Thomas Clarkson Initiated the movement to abolish the slave trade. John
Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, campaigned vigorously against

Granville Sharp was the first Englishman to agitate publicly against slavery
(see 4.1). He was joined by Thomas Clarkson, James Ramsay and William
Wilbertorce. The Society of Friends (the Quakers) sought to eliminate
enslavement, In 1823 the Anti-Slavery Society was founded.

the British parliament passed the law to abolish

slavery In 1833, to take effect on 1 August 1834.
 French anti-slavery movements
The French abolttion movement developed slowly. The National
Revolutionary government abolished slavery In 1794, but It was
restored by Napoleon in 1803. The Societe pour L'Abolttlon de
L'Esclavage put pressure on the French government which, by 1840,

Spanish anti-slavery movements

In the Spanish colonies civil war.

rebellion and industrial technology
encouraged the abolition
movement, and other forms of
labour became important: contract
workers. Chinese indentured
workers and free white wage-
earners.