LEARNING INTENTIONS
• Describe arguments against the slave trade used by abolitionists
• Describe ways that abolitionists campaigned against slavery
Many people in Britain and elsewhere were opposed to the slave trade, for lots of different reasons. Over the years
they campaigned against the trade, using many different methods to do so.
The case of the slave ship Zong inspired many to
campaign against slavery.
The ship’s captain threw more than 100 slaves into the sea so he could claim
insurance money on them.
The publicity this caused made people aware of
slavery.
There were many different arguments
used against the slave trade.
These focused on moral and economic arguments and helped
the campaign win many supporters.
Moral arguments
Abolitionists argued that it was completely wrong
to own and control another human being.
Religious groups opposed the trade on the
grounds that it was against God’s will.
Other people argued that the slave trade caused wars in Africa, making Britain responsible for
this.
Others said that the cruel conditions of slavery and
the Middle Passage meant the trade should be
abolished.
Economic arguments
Others preferred to focus on economic arguments,
hoping to persuade people this way.
One point argued was that the slave trade cost jobs in Britain, as slaves were doing work which Britons should be paid
for.
Others (such as Adam Smith) said slavery was more expensive than paying people, because slaves worked less well.
Some said that as Britain had better trade with other
parts of the world it was possible to get goods from elsewhere at a cheaper
price.
Anti-slavery campaigners used
many different tactics to win support for their cause. Anti-
slavery groups were set up.
Books, newspapers, pamphlets and leaflets were
produced arguing against the trade.
Public meetings were held across the country too, including former slaves as speakers.
Religious groups spoke out against the trade, both at religious services and other special meetings
too.
A campaign was set up to persuade people to
boycott (refuse to buy) sugar produced by
slaves.
Some MPs – especially William Wilberforce –
spoke out against slavery and tried to introduce
laws against it.
William Wilberforce
Wilberforce was an MP who campaigned for 20 years against the slave
trade.
He regularly gave speeches and proposed
anti-slavery laws in Parliament.
John Newton
Newton was a former slave ship captain.
He wrote a book about the evils of the slave
trade and spoke at public meetings.
He famously wrote the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’.
Olaudah Equiano
Equiano was a former slave.
He managed to buy his freedom and then set up
an anti-slavery group.
He also wrote books and spoke at public meetings.
Granville Sharp
Sharp was involved in setting up an anti-slavery campaign after meeting
a former slave.
He campaigned against the trade and also
advocated returning slaves to Africa (Sierra
Leone).
Hannah More
More was a teacher who became a writer.
During this time she met many people involved in
the anti-slavery movement and became an active
member too.