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Rumors
Plantation owners on Antigua here of a plot by Slaves to steal gunpowder and blow up the islands gentry at a ball. 88 Slaves are put to death over the next six months. -
Tacky's Revolt
Tacky's Revolt on Jamaica starts. 300-400 Slaves died fighting; 100 were executed; 500 were exiled; and roughly 60 white people, and 60 free black people were killed.
Largest British Slave uprising of the century. -
"Slaves cannot breathe in England"
James Somerset, with the help of Abolitionist Granville Sharp is given a form of freedom. Establishes that there cannot be slaves in England. Has no real effect on the American Slave Trade, but does give hope to slaves. -
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Quaker Abolitionists
In 1783 Quakers were the first religious group in England to denounce slavery. Not taken seriously by anyone, since they were so different. -
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The Zong
Captain Luke Collingwood throws 133 slaves overboard lessening the risk that more slaves would get sick. Files an insurance claim, stating that they had to be killed since there wasn't enough water. There was. -
The Zong Case
Not charged as murder, but as a disputed insurance claim. Former slaves hears of this, and Sharpe then writes many angry letters to MP's, cabinet ministers, clergy and bishops. They had no effect. -
Powerful Essay
Powerful essay written by Thomas Clarkson ignites Anti-Slavery movement. Also ignites Clarkson's passion to end slavery, which lasts the rest of his life. -
MP for the Cause
MP William Wilberforce is persuaded to join the Abolitionist movement in parliament. -
Influential Anti-Slavery Committee
This committee is formed by Anglicans and Quakers, the latter making up 9 of 12 of the original members. There main goal was to abolish the British Slave Trade, not necessarily slavery itself. -
Gaining Evidence
Clarkson tours around England, gathering and presenting evidence that opposed the British Slave Trade. -
Close Call
Clarkson is almost killed in Liverpool by British Slave Traders. He later walks by a shop that sells various instruments to control slaves, and purchases these as powerful tools of propaganda. -
Artistic Influence
Josiah Wedgwood, a famous pottery entrepreneur joins the Abolitionists and begins to make various items that feature a slave kneels, around it the words "I am not a Man, and a Brother?" -
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Pro-Slavery Bites Back
Slavery advocates get organized. Main supporters in house of Lords is Duke of Clarence. -
Abolitionists Gain Massive Support
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Artists Anti-Slavery Movement
Many artists, including George Morland begin to paint anti-slavery paintings, write poems and produce Ballads, such as the one by William Cowper -
Olaudah Equiano writes Gold
Ex-slave Olaudah Equiano writes a bestselling biography. Many are deeply touched by his story, and how he overcame many obstacles in his way, especially ones in Ireland. -
Pro-Slavery Writes a Play
Pro-slavery advocates write a play were a Black man and woman are united as lovers on a plantation. Angry merchants and ship owners begin pressing that abolition of slavery would mean economic disaster. -
Spreading Throughout
Slavery Abolition spreads quickly throughout Britain. Produces many radical groups that begin to feel that they to are due more rights, including workers and woman. -
Stop buying that Sugar
Many woman start to boycotte various slave-produced crops such as Sugar. Although it did not have much effect on sugar production, it still threatened British plantation owners. -
A whole Country Cries.
All of Britain "cries out against slavery." In just a few weeks over 500 petitions had been signed, along with many artists creating new pieces denouncing slavery. -
So Close
Abolitionists almost have law passed banning the Slave Trade, however House of Lords refuses to pass the Bill. -
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Surprise!
Suprise uprising in modern Haiti sees General Toussaint L'ouverture defeat both the French and British. Many British Officers who wittnessed the brutality of slavery come back home to write and become advocates of Abolition. -
Abolition Reignites!
Clarkson begins another tour of Britain, this time with much more support. A Bill passed momentarily abolished 2/3 of the British Slave Trade. -
Parliament Bans Slave Trade
Parliament Bans the British Slave Trade. Abolitionists rejoice over the outcome of their 20 year struggle. -
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Uprisings Continue
The end of the British Slave Trade inspired many slaves to form new rebellions. The West Indies sees a whole series of Slave Uprisings from 1816-1823 -
Woman call for Immediate Emancipation
As slave populations begin to increase in the West Indies, and it is clear that slavery will not end, Quaker woman begin to demand immediate emancipation, denouncing men for allowing gradual change. -
Jamaica Revolts
Jamaica starts a massive revolt lead by Samuel Sharpe. This revolt sees 20,000 slaves burn down more then 100 plantations. Causes plantations owners to become very fearful of another possible uprising, which they believe they would not be able to suppress. -
Slavery is Abolished
Slavery is Abolished by both Houses, ending Slavery in the entire British Empire. Slaves became "Apprentices" for a 4-year term, and then they would become free men. -
Slavery is Gone in the British Empire
At the stroke of Midnight on August 1, 1838 slaves became legally free throughout the British Empire. Clarkson was the sole survivor of the original Abolition committee. Black parishioners symbolically bury slavery in a coffin containing a whip, iron punishment collar and chains. -
Little Change
Abolishing Slavery did very little to the working conditions of now ex-slaves. They were still treated badly, given low wages, and were also expected to pay taxes and rent to the plantation owners. This causes a whole new series of uprisings, where more then 400 rebels were executed at the end.