Abolition of Slavery Timeline

Is one man superior to another, in terms of freedom? Are there some for whom freedom is a birthright, while others are meant to be enslaved? Along with great advancements in knowledge and self-development, man created and followed the cruel and punishing practice of slavery. Enslaving human beings to do their masters bidding at all times, without pay or privileges and subject to every whim and fancy of their owners, slaves were made of the population of colonized or captured territories such as Africa, South America and parts of Asia. This horrific act against humanity was finally wiped out by the beginning of the 1900's. Read on, to learn what steps and acts brought about the end of the slavery, in the abolition of slavery timeline below.

The Timeline of The Abolition of Slavery

✎ 1754
The first anti-slavery tract is written by John Woolman, a Quaker from New Jersey.

✎ 1758
The Quakers of England held their annual meeting and for the first time, denounced England's role in the Slave Trade.

✎ 1766
Granville Sharp becomes a prominent lawman for slaves in court. The Quakers of England and America exchange letters and England's Quakers are urged to start the fight against slavery. Letters, essays and other forms of inspirational messages are released amongst the public. An example is Thomas Clarkson's "Is it lawful to make slaves of others against their wills?" essay.

✎ 1767
The Strong case established that slaves from the Americas and other colonies would remain slaves in England only, if they had signed a contract agreeing to leave the country and be a slave. Else their master had no rights over them.

✎ 1772
The Somersett case took place, ruling in favor of abducted slave James Somersett and setting him free. With this case, English law had set a stand that slavery does not legally exist in England.

✏ 1774
Ignatius Sancho, "the extraordinary Negro" votes in England's parliamentary elections. He is of African origin and was a symbol of inspiration for the abolition movement. The same year, Scottish law officially states that slavery is not a recognized practice.

✏ 1775
The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage was formed. It was the first formal abolitionist group that was American in nationality. During America's fight for independence from colonial rule, runaway slaves were promised freedom if they aided the British.

✏ 1783
Sir Cecil Wray submitted a petition to the English parliament, to recognize the unfairness of slavery and asking for its abolishment. On the other side of the Atlantic, the American states of Massachusetts and New Hampshire began to free slaves. Connecticut and Rhode Island would follow suit in a year.

✏ 1787
William Wilberforce, the MP of Hull, joined the abolitionists and he would soon become the most influential and indeed, the leader of England's movement against slavery.

✏ 1789
Using his parliamentary seat, Wilberforce first brought up the issue of slavery in parliament and would continue to repeat and urge English law to change its pro-slavery attitude for 26 years, until the Slave Trade Act was passed.

✏ 1807
An anti-slavery supporter, Lord Grenville became the Prime Minister of England in 1806. One year later, he introduced the Slave Trade Abolition Bill and a month later, the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act is passed. Carrying slaves on ships to and from colonies, selling and buying of slaves was banned by law. This act was passed after nearly 200 years, since the first ship carried slaves from Africa to America. But the practice of slavery existed in British colonies, where one could have slaves as property.

✍ 1808
America abolished trading of slaves. Like England, owning and controlling slaves was still legal. England ended its slave trade and began to urge other European nations to follow through. In 1810, it started negotiations with Portugal. In 1815, at the Congress of Vienna, it urged Spain, France and the Netherlands to stop their slave trading.

✍ 1817
In a smart step to counter illegal trading, Wilberforce introduces and passes a slave registration act, where slave owners must create a bi-yearly account of the laves they own. The central registry was set up in London.

✍ 1818
France abolished the slave trade from its shores.

✍ 1822
Most South American nations had abolished slavery by this time. Exceptions were Puerto Rico, Cuba and Brazil.

✍ 1833
The Slavery Abolition Act was passed, banning slavery in totality, in any British state or colony. This act wiped out the last dredges and traces of slavery as a practice. But slaves were not freed immediately, they had to remain apprentices for 6 years, under their masters. In 1838, even this system is abolished and so slaves were now free people.

✍ 1848
The nations of France and Denmark banned slavery in totality, trading and owning. Holland would follow suit in 1863, Spain in 1870.

✍ 1853
Argentina bans slavery.

✍ 1863
The Emancipation Proclamation is passed, freeing slaves who live in the Confederate states.

✍ 1865
The Thirteenth Amendment is added to the U.S. Constitution and legitimately bans slavery and bonded or forced labor, throughout the American nation.

✍ 1886
Cuba bans slavery.

✍ 1888
Brazil finally bans slavery.

From the above timeline, it seems that the Quakers are the pioneering spirit, in the road to ending slavery. They felt it was wrong and evil and ignored the tide of opposition, to remain steadfast to their belief that slavery should end. The English were also fearless and persistent in their steps and encouraged other European nations to rise to the cause of abolition. Numerous figures and unsung heroes of the abolitionist movement, are forgotten in the pages of history but their message remains eternal - do not hesitate to stand up against oppression and cruelty.