Real reasons behind the abolition of the slave trade
http://www.pambazukcategory/features/41131
The wider historical context of the abolition of the
transatlantic slave trade
Hakim Adi (2007-05-02)
Trade in African slaves underpinned the British
economy in the 18th century: the rich and powerful,
the monarchy and the Church. So why was an enterprise
that was so economically important ended so abruptly
in the first decade of the 19th century? Hakim Adi
explains...
In March 2007 large-scale commemorative events were
organised to mark the bi-centenary of the
parliamentary act to abolish the trans-Atlantic slave
trade.This unprecedented commemoration of a historical
event, in which the British government itself is
playing a leading role, was difficult to avoid.
There has been a frenzy in the British media. We have
seen government publications (allegedly designed to
enlighten the public); meetings and exhibitions; a
debate in parliament; an apology from London’s mayor;
the issuing of postage stamps; a service in
Westminster Abbey; and release of the film Amazing
Grace which promotes the well-established myth that
abolition was largely due to the efforts of the
Hull-based MP William Wilberforce.
It would be hoped that owing to the vast amount of
information that is being disseminated, everyone would
be now disabused of such erroneous views; and would be
able to place both the so-called abolition and the
centuries of trafficking of human flesh from Africa in
historical perspective. The commemorative events
certainly provide the opportunity for broad and in
depth discussion of Britain’s history and the crimes
against humanity committed over many centuries.
But are we any clearer about what went on in 1807? More
importantly, do we know why parliament decided to make
illegal an enterprise which had underpinned Britain’s
economy throughout the 18th century, when Britain was
the world’s leading slave trading power? ( read more)
The wider historical context of the abolition of the
transatlantic slave trade
Hakim Adi (2007-05-02)
Trade in African slaves underpinned the British
economy in the 18th century: the rich and powerful,
the monarchy and the Church. So why was an enterprise
that was so economically important ended so abruptly
in the first decade of the 19th century? Hakim Adi
explains...
In March 2007 large-scale commemorative events were
organised to mark the bi-centenary of the
parliamentary act to abolish the trans-Atlantic slave
trade.This unprecedented commemoration of a historical
event, in which the British government itself is
playing a leading role, was difficult to avoid.
There has been a frenzy in the British media. We have
seen government publications (allegedly designed to
enlighten the public); meetings and exhibitions; a
debate in parliament; an apology from London’s mayor;
the issuing of postage stamps; a service in
Westminster Abbey; and release of the film Amazing
Grace which promotes the well-established myth that
abolition was largely due to the efforts of the
Hull-based MP William Wilberforce.
It would be hoped that owing to the vast amount of
information that is being disseminated, everyone would
be now disabused of such erroneous views; and would be
able to place both the so-called abolition and the
centuries of trafficking of human flesh from Africa in
historical perspective. The commemorative events
certainly provide the opportunity for broad and in
depth discussion of Britain’s history and the crimes
against humanity committed over many centuries.
But are we any clearer about what went on in 1807? More
importantly, do we know why parliament decided to make
illegal an enterprise which had underpinned Britain’s
economy throughout the 18th century, when Britain was
the world’s leading slave trading power? ( read more)
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