History N5: Notes on Slavery and Abolition

French Revolution's Impact on the Slave Trade

Toussaint L'Ouverture's success demonstrated that slaves could defeat European armies.
This raised concerns in British islands, where slaves significantly outnumbered whites (e.g., 20 to 1).
Toussaint became Governor of Haiti, facing opposition from French plantation owners.
In 1801, Napoleon Bonaparte aimed to reinstate slavery, sending troops to Haiti.
Despite being well-trained, French troops failed to regain control after two years of fighting.
Toussaint aided the French army in ousting the British and Spanish.
News of Napoleon's betrayal triggered mass slave revolts, with Toussaint L'Ouverture leading the rebellion.
Toussaint's leadership led to successful battles against the French.
Napoleon abandoned his American territories, and Haiti became the first independent Caribbean island governed by former slaves.
By 1793, Maximilian Robespierre led the French Revolution and ended slavery in French colonies, including Haiti.
In 1789, the French Revolution's ideals of 'Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity' sparked discussions about slavery.
Opposition from French Caribbean plantation owners initially prevented the emancipation of black slaves.

Religious Reasons:
- Christians believed enslavement was wrong.
- Many became abolitionists due to new religious beliefs.
Economic Reasons:
- Britain no longer needed the slave trade by 1807.
- The European market expanded.
- Industrial Revolution goods found buyers elsewhere, like Australia.
- Sugar production became cheaper and more efficient in India.
- Cotton became more profitable than sugar.
- People boycotted West Indies sugar in support of abolition.
Humanitarian Reasons:
- Increased slave population heightened fears of revolts.
- Harsh punishments highlighted the injustice of slavery.
Compensation of £20 million was paid to planters involved in the slave trade.
The abolition act initially kept slaves as 'apprentices' for six years; this was removed in 1838.

Religious Arguments:
- Slavery contradicts biblical teachings of equality.
- Love thy neighbor.
Humanitarian Arguments:
- Slavery is cruel and inhumane, affecting both slaves and society.
Economic Arguments:
- Cheaper goods were available from other regions.
- More countries were available for trade.
- Slaves would be more productive if paid and free.
- High death rate of slaves made slavery less economically viable.
- Britain had better trade connections elsewhere.
- Evidence of cruel treatment.
- Fear of slave revolts.
- Fear of divine anger.
- Slavery caused wars and hindered development in Africa.

The British government profited from taxes on the slave trade.
Manufacturers of trade goods (e.g., guns) feared business losses.
Wealthy planters bribed officials to support slavery.
Some argued that if Britain stopped, other countries would continue the trade, worsening the situation for Africans.
Banning the trade might encourage slave rebellions.

Public lectures.
Petition drives.
Wedgewood pottery displaying images of chained slaves.
Sugar boycott - 300,000 people stopped buying sugar in 1792.
William Wilberforce: Introduced anti-slavery bills in Parliament.
Former slaves published autobiographies to gain public sympathy.
Thomas Clarkson: Gathered information for seven years to sway public opinion.
Granville Sharp: Used the justice system to challenge slavery laws.
Quakers: Barred anyone involved in the slave trade from membership starting in 1761.

Born in Hull, England, in 1759, the son of a wealthy merchant.
Studied at Cambridge University, befriending William Pitt the Younger.
Became a member of Parliament in 1780, as a Conservative supporter.
In 1787, the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade recruited Wilberforce to represent them in the House of Commons; he eventually became their leader.
For 18 years, Wilberforce introduced anti-slavery motions and gave speeches.
Faced strong opposition from MPs profiting from the slave trade.
Lost his first vote on anti-slavery laws by 88 to 163.
Thomas Clarkson's evidence significantly influenced Wilberforce.
Wilberforce exposed the horrors of slavery, once taking people aboard a slave ship and using a model slave ship in Parliament to show the cramped conditions.

Forbidden from speaking or singing in native languages.
Prohibited from reading or writing.
Lived in small wooden huts shared by families, lacking furniture.
Slept on straw on the floor.
Given time off from Christmas to New Year's.
Allowed to marry but only to one wife.
Slave owners, mainly Christians, converted and baptized slaves, allowing church services on Sundays.

Reduced food rations.
Iron muzzles.
Shackles on ankles, wrists, or neck.
Whippings, leaving scars, with salt or lime rubbed into wounds.
Branding with a hot iron, sometimes on the face.
Pregnant women were still punished, though care was taken not to harm the baby.
Cutting off fingers, toes, ears, noses, arms, or legs, leading to infections and death.
Public killings by hanging, starvation, dehydration, or whipping.