When was the slave trade abolished in Africa?

During the 1700’s the slave trade brought misery to thousands of Africans, who were transported across the Atlantic Ocean and forced to works as slaves on plantation in the Americas. This trade also brought huge wealth to those who ran it – the shipbuilders, shipowners, merchants and traders.

Many people began to condemn the slave trade and to call for it to be abolished. The slave trade came to an end in the British Empire in 1807 and was finally abolished within the empire in 1833. Slavery continued elsewhere, however. It did not come to an end in the United States until after the American Civil War in 1865, and continued in Brazil until 1889.

In 1788 an association was formed in London to encourage British exploration and trade in Africa. Many British explorers set out to explore Africa along its rivers. Probably the most famous of all the expeditions was led by David Livingstone, who set out to look for the source of the River Nile. After being out of contact for almost three years, he was eventually found by the American journalist Henry Stanley.

Fact File:

The anti-slavery movement was strongest in Britain and the USA. Many abolitionist speakers joined the struggle to gain equal rights for black people.

 

Picture Credit : Google