Abolition of Slave Trade

The British government began the abolition of slave trade during the years, 1822-1826. This was because of pressure by various groups based on different factors.

The Reasons for the Abolition of Slave Trade

Explain the reasons for the abolition of slave trade

Rise of humanitarians in Europe such as Christians and scholars condemned it on moral grounds. The missionaries wanted it to be stopped because they wanted good conditions for the spread of Christianity.

The formation of humanitarian movement in England aimed at stopping all kinds of cruelty including slave trade, flogging of soldiers and child labour.

Industrialisation in Britain, e.g. Britain industrialists urged its abolition because they wanted Africans to be left in Africa so that Africa can be source of raw materials for their industries, market for European manufactured goods and place for new investment of surplus capital

Formation of the anti slavery movement and the abolitionist movement in 1787, its chairman was Granville Sharp and others like Thomas Clarkson, William Wilberforce who gathered facts and stories about the brutality of slave trade and slavery to arouse public opinion in Britain.

Religious revival in Europe, Anglican preached and condemned slave trade as opposed to laws of God and humanity. Catholic pope also protested against the trade and prohibited it. In 1774, many religious leaders served as examples when they liberated their slaves in England.

The French revolution of 1789 and the American revolution of 1776, emphasised liberty, equality and fraternity (brotherhood) of all human beings, as a result people began to question whether anyone had a right to deprive a fellow man of his liberty when he had done wrong.

The British desire to protect their national interests: British planters wanted slave trade stopped to avoid competition with other European planters. This is because other planters were producing cheaper sugar hence the need to stop over production

The rise of men with new ideas:Prof. Adam Smith (challenged the economic arguments which were the basis of slave trade when he argued convincingly that hired labour is cheaper and more productive than slave labour, Rousseau spread the idea of personal liberty and equality of all men.

Slaves had become less profitable: Yethad led to overpopulation in Europe. Influential abolitionists like William Wilberforce (a British member of parliaments) urged the British government to legislate against the slave trade in her colonies.

The ship owners stopped transporting slaves from Africa and began raw materials directly from Africa and America to Europe, which led to a decline in slave trade.

The Tactics Used During the Abolition of Slave Trade

Assess the tactics used during the abolition of slave trade

The movement to abolish slave trade started in Britain with the formation of anti-slavery movements. The British government abolished slave trade through anti slave laws (legislation), treaties and use of force.

The anti slavery movement was led by Granville Sharp, other members were Thomas Clarkson, William Wilberforce and others.

• The first step was taken in 1772 when slavery was declared illegal and abolished in Britain. The humanitarians secured judgment against slavery from the British court.
• In 1807, British parliament outlawed slave trade for British subjects.
• In 1817 British negotiated the “the reciprocal search treaties” with Spain and Portugal.
• Equipment treaties signed with Spain 1835, Portugal 1842 and America 1862. In east Africa in 1822 Mores by treaty was signed between captain Moresby and sultan Seyyid Said it forbade the shipping of slaves outside the sultan's territories. British sips were authorised to stop and search suspected Arabs slave carrying dhows.
• In 1845, Hamerton treaty was signed between Colonel Hamerton and sultan Seyyid Said. It forbade the shipping of slaves outside the sultan's East Africa territories i.e. beyond to the North.
• In 1871, the British set up the parliamentary commission of inquiry to investigate and report on slave trade in East Africa.
• In 1872, sir. Bartle Frere persuaded sultan Barghash to stop slave trade but not much was achieved.
• On 5th march 1873, the sultan passed a decree prohibiting the export of slaves from mainland and closed of slave market at Zanzibar. Zanzibar slave market was to be closed within 24 hours
• In 1876, sultan decreed that no slaves were to be transported overland.
• In 1897, decree left slaves to claim their freedom themselves
• In 1907, slavery was abolished entirely in Zanzibar and Pemba.
• In 1927, slavery ended in Tanganyika w hen British took over from Germany after the Second World War.

The Social and Economic Effects of the Abolition of Slave Trade

Assess the social and economic effects of the abolition of slave trade

Effects of the abolition of slave trade

Loss of independence, the suppression of slave trade led to loss of independence that is to say, legitimate trade which provided equally profitable business to both European and African traders. Many ship owners diverted their ships from transporting slaves to transporting raw cotton and raw sugar from Brazil and America.

It accelerated the coming of European missionaries to East Africa who emphasised peace and obedience thus the future European colonisation of East Africa.

Disintegration of the Sultan Empire: This is because it loosened the economic and political control which the sultan had over the east African nations. His empire in East Africa therefore began to crumble. This gave opportunity to other ambitious leaders like Tippu-Tip to create independent state in Manyema, where he began selling his ivory and slaves to the Belgians in Zaire.

Closing of slave trade markets, for example Zanzibar in 1873 following the Frere treaty signed between sultan Barghash and Bantle Frere.

Islam became unpopular as many converted to Christianity

African societies regained their respect and strength as they were no longer sold off as commodities.

Generally, abolition of slave trade was a catalyst to the partition of East Africa whereby Britain took over Kenya, Zanzibar and Uganda while Germany took over Tanganyika.

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