On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
Atlantic Slave Trade - abolitionists
1.
2. 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.
3. The 1781 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.
4. There were many different
arguments used against the
slave trade.
These focused on moral
and economic arguments
and helped the campaign
win many supporters.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. Josiah Wedgewood, founder
of the famous Wedgewood
pottery company, was a slave
abolitionist.
His company produced a
medallion titled ‘Am I not a
man and a brother?’ which
became a very popular design.
14. Former slaves played a key
role in the abolitionist
campaign too, setting up a
campaign group called the
Sons of Africa.
People such as Ottobah
Cugoano and Olaudah
Equiano wrote books and
spoke against the trade.
15. Some anti-slavery
campaigners brought to court
legal challenges against the
slave trade.
People such as Granville
Sharp helped some slaves be
granted their freedom after
being kidnapped or attacked
by their owners.
16. Thomas Clarkson famously
took part in a tour of British
slave ports to gather evidence
of the slave trade.
This included speaking to
sailors, describing conditions
on the slave ships and also
collecting items such as
shackles and branding irons.
17.
18. 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.
19. Thomas Clarkson
Clarkson was a Quaker. He
helped found the campaign
group ‘The Society for
Affecting the Abolition of the
Slave Trade’.
He toured British slave ports
collecting evidence of slave
trade to show horrors.
20. 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.
21. 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’.
22. 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.
23. Granville Sharp
Sharp was involved in
setting up an anti-slavery
campaign after meeting a
former slave.
A number of legal challenges
to the slave trade were
organised by Sharp, helping
some slaves get freedom.
