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Abolition efforts of William Wilberforce
William Wilberforce (1759-1833) was one of the most passionate supports of the abolition movement. He was a personal friend of Prime Minister William Pitt and played a crucial role in the movement to end slavery in Europe. His earliest contributions were centered around ending slave trade and three days before his death, all forms of slavery were outlawed in Britain. -
William Pitt the Younger Becomes Prime Minister
The appointment of William Pitt the Younger to the position of Prime Minister was significant because, as a childhood friend of William Wilberforce, he supported the abolition movement and used his political influence to attempt to move parliament in the direction of abolition of slavery. -
Abolition of the Slave Trade Act
This was an extremely significant turning point because it outlawed Atlantic slave trade. This movement was accomplished in large thanks to the efforts of William Wilberforce. And while this act did not ensure that all slaves would enjoy the freedoms of whites, it was a big step away from the slave infested past. William Pitt, a sympathizer with Wilberforce's cause, affected the abolition of slave trade through his political influence. -
Turning Point: Formation of the Anti-Slavery Society
In 1825, the Anti-Slavery Society was formed in Britain. The goals of the society were centered around effectively outlawing slavery of any form in Britain. The creation of this society is a turning point because it allowed influential figures to unite against slavery and take steps in eliminating by legislation. Important political figures that were members of the Anti-Slavery Society include Joseph Sturge, Thomas Clarkson and William Wilberforce. -
Turning Point: Slavery Abolition Act of 1833
In this monumental act, European courts set the standard that U.S. President Lincoln would follow in the coming years. The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 outlawed all forms of slavery, as opposed to simply outlawing slave trade. This act was the climax of a gradual movement away from slavery that had begun years earlier and would continue in the following years. -
Henry John Temple Appointed Prime Minister
Henry John Temple, who became Prime Minister of England in 1859, was the leading political figure of England during the American Civil War. Opposed to slavery, he made avid use of the Royal Navy to effectively end slave trade with England and refused to support the South in the American Civil War. -
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England under Henry John Temple
Henry John Temple was the Prime Minister of England during the course of the American Civil War. He completely despised slavery and focused a good deal of his foreign policy and interaction on the United States during the Civil War. While he did not support slavery, he did not wish to end trade with the South during the war. He did however, take measures to end slave trade and was a key figure of the abolition movement. -
Alexander II Emancipates the Serfs
The reign of Alexander II was impact because he used his political power to emancipate the serfs of Russia. While they did not immediately experience equality with the upper class of Russia, the emancipation of the serfs was an important step in the direction of anti-slavery.