Abolition of the Slave Trade & Aftermath

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Key figures, events, and legislation that led to the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

Abolition of the Slave Trade & Aftermath

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What is the important distinction between abolishing the slave *trade* and abolishing *slavery*?

Abolishing the slave trade made the international importation of captive people illegal. Abolishing slavery itself made the institution of owning another person illegal. The trade was banned long before slavery was.

When did the United States pass a law to prohibit the importation of enslaved people?

Congress passed the Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves in 1807. The law went into effect on January 1, 1808, the earliest date permitted by the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 9).

Did the \(1808\) U.S. ban on the international slave trade stop the growth of the enslaved population?

No. The enslaved population continued to grow dramatically through natural increase (children born to enslaved mothers). It also fueled a domestic slave trade, where people were sold from the Upper South to the Deep South.

Which was the first major European power to abolish the slave trade?

While Denmark-Norway abolished its trade in 1803, Great Britain, a far more dominant force in the slave trade, passed the Slave Trade Act in 1807. The British act had a wider global impact, including the use of the Royal Navy to suppress the illegal trade.

What religious group was among the earliest and most consistent advocates for abolition in America?

The Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as the Quakers, were pioneers in the abolitionist movement, arguing that slavery was immoral and contrary to Christian principles.

What was the American Colonization Society?

An organization founded in \(1816\) that advocated for the 'repatriation' of free African Americans to Africa. It established the colony of Liberia but was opposed by many abolitionists and Black leaders who saw it as racist.

When was slavery officially abolished in the United States?

Slavery was abolished with the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in December \(1865\), following the end of the Civil War.

What was the lasting demographic impact of the slave trade on the Americas?

It created large populations of African descent throughout the Americas, known as the African Diaspora. This profoundly shaped the culture, social structure, and politics of all nations involved.

Abolition of the Slave Trade & Aftermath

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