The Political Reasons for the Abolishment of Antlantic Slave Trade
The political and economic reasons behind the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade
Like most historical arguments, there is much controversy about the reasons for the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade and the subsequent progressive abolition of the slave system itself in the New World . Some have argued that in Britain, it was the power of the moral/Christian arguments presented by the abolitionist movement, led by the great parliamentarian, William Wilberforce. Others have pointed to the international impact of the French Revolution, or emphasize the growing crescendo of slave rebellion in the New World colonies, or inter-imperialist competition between the European powers, or to changing economic conditions in the development of capitalism . In support to this background, this paper discusses the political and economic reasons behind the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade. In the first place, the paper discusses the political reasons behind the abolition of the slave trade and then lastly the economic reasons behind the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade.
To begin with, it is worth noting to note that, politically, critical events such as the Haiti and the slave revolts inspired by the French and American Revolutions played a very substantial role in the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade . With regards to this, it is of absolute importance to note that the vital changes that brought the transatlantic trade to an end occurred not in Europe, but in the colonies where the slaves were put to work in the plantation system . Although the abolitionist movements in Britain, the USA, France and elsewhere were important, they played a secondary or auxiliary role to the struggles of the black slaves themselves . Thus, Political and social change inspired by the American and French Revolutions, stimulated both slave revolts and abolition movements alike, which often became inextricably linked with independence movements . The 1791 slave rising in
Like most historical arguments, there is much controversy about the reasons for the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade and the subsequent progressive abolition of the slave system itself in the New World . Some have argued that in Britain, it was the power of the moral/Christian arguments presented by the abolitionist movement, led by the great parliamentarian, William Wilberforce. Others have pointed to the international impact of the French Revolution, or emphasize the growing crescendo of slave rebellion in the New World colonies, or inter-imperialist competition between the European powers, or to changing economic conditions in the development of capitalism . In support to this background, this paper discusses the political and economic reasons behind the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade. In the first place, the paper discusses the political reasons behind the abolition of the slave trade and then lastly the economic reasons behind the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade.
To begin with, it is worth noting to note that, politically, critical events such as the Haiti and the slave revolts inspired by the French and American Revolutions played a very substantial role in the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade . With regards to this, it is of absolute importance to note that the vital changes that brought the transatlantic trade to an end occurred not in Europe, but in the colonies where the slaves were put to work in the plantation system . Although the abolitionist movements in Britain, the USA, France and elsewhere were important, they played a secondary or auxiliary role to the struggles of the black slaves themselves . Thus, Political and social change inspired by the American and French Revolutions, stimulated both slave revolts and abolition movements alike, which often became inextricably linked with independence movements . The 1791 slave rising in
Bibliography: Curtin, P. The Atlantic Slave Trade. The University Of Wisconsin Press, 1969 Keith, B and Paul Klein, and Jacob K. The Atlantic Slave Trade. Cambridge: University Press, 1999. Meltzer, M Rodney, W. How Europe Underdeveloped Africa. Washington, D.C.: Howard University Press; Revised edition, 1981. Rodriguez, P, ed Solow, B (ed.). Slavery and the Rise of the Atlantic System. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991. Thomas, H Thornton, J. Africa and Africans in the Making of the Atlantic World, 1400–1800, 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press, 1998