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| 18th Century Cont.. |
| 1786 |
Thomas Clarkson’s 'An essay on the slavery and commerce of the human species’ is published and makes an immediate impact. |
| 1787 |
The Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade is founded. |
| 1788 |
In response to growing concern about conditions in the 'Middle Passage' the Dolben Act limits the number of enslaved people a ship is permitted to carry. Even with these restrictions, conditions remain dreadful. |
| 1789 |
Olaudah Equiano’s The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African is published. |
| 1789 |
The French Revolution begins in July. Its ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity spark discontent in the slave colonies. |
| 1790 |
William Wilberforce presents the first abolition bill to the Hose of Commons, but it does not pass. |
| 1791-04 |
A slave uprising in St Domingue in 1791 starts off the Haitian Revolution, led by Toussaint L’Ouverture with an army of ex-slaves. The revolution eventually leads to St Domingue becoming independent Haiti in 1804. |
| 1792 |
House of Commons votes in favor of the abolition of the slave trade but the bill is rejected by the House of Lords. |
| 1793-02 |
French Revolutionary War between Britain and France effectively delays the abolition campaign. |
| 1794 |
France abolishes slavery and frees all enslaved people in her colonies. Legislation is passed by US Congress to prevent US vessels being used in the slave trade. |
| 1795-96 |
Second Maroon War in Jamaica, ending in defeat for the Maroons. |
| 1795 |
Fédon’s Rebellion in Grenada causes enormous damage to plantations. Enslaved people seize control of large parts of the island before being defeated by British troops in 1796. |
| 1795 |
Rebellion in St Vincent results in expulsion of Black Caribs from the island in 1796 |
| 1796 |
Napoleon seizes power in France and soon restores slavery in the French colonies. |
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| 19th Century |
| 1831 |
The History of Mary Prince is published in London and becomes an important part of the anti-slavery literature. |
| 1832 |
The Great Reform Act introduces new Members of Parliament from groups who are more likely to oppose slavery. |
| 1833 |
Abolition of Slavery Act – Britain abolishes slavery and provides for the emancipation of enslaved people in the British West Indies, to take effect in August 1834. The Act declares that the former enslaved people must serve a period of apprenticeship before receiving full emancipation. Originally this period was set at six years, but it was later reduced to four. |
| 1833 |
William Wilberforce dies on 29 July, three days after the bill to emancipate enslaved people is passed. |
| 1838 |
Emancipation of enslaved people in British territories. Colonial assemblies pass laws against vagrancy and squatting to support the planters’ interests. |
| 1839 |
A group of 49 enslaved Africans on board the slave ship Amistad revolt off the coast of Cuba. The ship lands at New London, USA, where the Africans are taken into custody. American abolitionists take up their cause and in March 1841 the Supreme Court upholds their freedom. |
| 1840 |
J.W.M. Turner’s controversial painting 'The Slave Ship’ (also called 'Slavers Throwing Overboard the Dead and Dying – Typhoon coming on’) is put on display at the Royal Academy in London. The same exhibition also includes Auguste Biard’s painting 'Scene on the Coast of Africa'. |
| 1865 |
The Thirteenth Amendment marks the abolition of slavery in the USA at the end of the American Civil War. |
| 1865 |
The largest and most famous uprising by black Jamaicans. In a riot in Morant Bay the crowd attacks the police station and the local militia killing 17 Europeans and wounding 32. Over a few days a number of plantations are also attacked. The authorities react violently and declare martial law. The ringleaders are executed and around 400 blacks are killed. |
| 1886 |
Abolition of slavery in Cuba. |
| 1888 |
Abolition of slavery in Brazil. |
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