Did You Know?

Hi friends, it's great to have you back after we missed an episode last week. It was due to a situation beyond my control and I sincerely apologise for that.

For the past two editions, we have been looking at the impact of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. This week, we will briefly look at the abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

Did you know that the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade lasted for 300 years before its abolition? Of course, that's true. Also, did you know that the abolition of the slave trade did not just happen in a day? And that the trade didn't stop at once in all the countries? Of course, it didn't stop at once. Different countries took different times to let go of the trade.

Although a part of history has it that France first stopped the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, it is believed and recorded that the British government was the first to legally put an end to the obnoxious trade.

According to history, the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire was a combined effort of the missionaries, some humanitarians and the British government. It is believed that the people realised the evils connected with the trade and then decided to speak against it. And the following:

1. Granville Sharp

2. William Wilberforce

3. Thomas Clarkson

4. Thomas Buxton

Worked and spoke against the trade openly, sponsoring bills and defending the slaves.

The good news about the trade in British empire, Wilberforce in 1784 introduced a bill to end the trade in the British House of Commons and another in 1791.

However, through the combined efforts of the Anti-slavery society and Thomas Buxton, the law to end the slave trade in the British Empire was finally passed in 1833.

Notable Facts

1. A "Committee for the Abolition of Slavery" was formed to raise the issue in the British Parliament.

2. After a slave named Jonathan Strong gained justice after he was thrown out by his master due to ill health and was rescued by Granville Sharp. His case was taken to court and the Chief Justice of England at that time, Lord Mansfield, declared him free and from there, other slaves were declared free when their cases were taken up by the humanitarians.

3. In 1787, history has it that about 400 slaves were sent to Sierra Leone (a new-found territory) to find settlement for freed slaves.

4. 1n 1807, through a bill, the British government declared an end to slavery by British subjects on 1st January 1808.

5. By 1833, the final verdict was passed in the entire British Empire, that the slave trade be totally abolished and eradicated.

Thank you for reading, I remain your historian friend @eveetim.💕 Feel free to make your contributions in the comment, I'll love to hear from you.