For those who do not recall, I was the first to make my presentation to the class of English 3204. My topic was on the history of the abolition movement in the United Kingdom, those who fought for abolishing slavery, and the writers who contributed in promoting the cause.
The first steps toward abolition began in 1772 with the Somersett's Case, which concerned a slave named James Somersett who escaped hs master and was recaptured. When the dispute over his status reached trial, it became apparent that his initial enslavement and later imprisonment might have been illegal. Lord William Murray, the First Earl of Mansfield, presided over the case, and he ruled that the slave was illegally brought to Britain and could henceforth go free. While it was not outlawing slavery, the Somersett's Case was one of the first cases to tackle the issue. Although the practice of buying and selling slaves was declared illegal, many Europeans found a technicality in the law by continuing to own slaves, which was not covered by the ruling. Furthermore, several British colonies, such as those in the Carribean, kept the practice of slavery going, because the law stated that buying and selling slaves on English soil.
During the latter part of the 18th Century, the seeds were set for the abolitionist movement to take shape. A philanthropist and politician named William Wilberforce became active in promoting the end of slavery, because he believed it was against the intention of God for one man to own and control the life of another. In 1791, he introduced a bill calling for the abolition of slavery, but it was quickly defeated in a vote. By the early 1800s, Wilberforce and several Whig politicians lobbied heavily for the abolition of slavery, and the Slave Trade Act of 1807 abolished slavery within the Empire. Those sea captains and merchants who continued to defy the law would be punished with a stiff fine. However, due to the complexities in the legal system, the Slave Trade Act was not affirmed until the 1833 Slavey Abolition Act. Apart from abolishing slavery, it ruled that slaves were entitled to compensation from their owners and the government. In addition, the 1833 Act did not apply to certain territories in the Atlantic region and in the Far East. The British colonies only released slaves who were under six years of age. Despite being slavery being abolished in the British Empire, several other countries such as America took longer to follow suit and criminalize slavery. France did not outlaw the practice until fifteen years later in 1848. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, the United States were unable to render all transactions and ownerships of slaves illegal until 1865. As of today, there are countries in the Middle East and Asia which continue slavery, which is considered a crime against humanity by the United Nations.
Apart from politicians, there were a number of writers and scholars who voiced their opposition to slavery, and their views are expressed in their literary writings. While he was not part of the abolitionist movement, James Locke argued for the rights and freedoms of Man. In his 1690 work "An Essay concerning the True Original, Extent and End of Civil Government", he wrote that "...all Men may be restrained from invading others' Rights, and from doing hurt to one another" (261). In his examination of slavery in Chapter 4, Locke claimed that Man had the "natural Liberty" to be free of any oppression, intimidation, or harmful wrongdoing of another, because no one has the right to infringe upon the natural rights and freedoms of someone else (262). He viewed slavery as "the State of War continued, between a lawful conqueror, and a Captive" (263). Poet and playwright Aphra Behn wrote the novel "Oroonoko, or, the Royal Slave" in 1688. Perhaps her most famous work, Oroonoko is significant, because it is one of the first pieces of prose to have a Negro as its protagonist and depicted positively. The titular character is presented as an educated, noble, and well-rounded man, which could be a commentary on the way that European nobles saw themselves. In addition, William Cowper wrote the 1789 poem "The Negro's Complaint" from the point of view of an African who is abducted from his home and forced into slavery. While he is angered at his oppression, he vows that "Minds are never to be sold" and notes that he is still free in his own thoughts (948). However, he expresses bewilderment at the way whites treat blacks, saying, "Skins may differ, but affection/Dwells in white and black the same" (949). The speaker concludes the poem by urging the "Slaves of gold" to prove to "Prove that you have human feelings, Ere you proudly question ours!" (950).
Based on these examples, it is evident that the abolition movement in the United Kingdom was a very complex and difficult process for the politicians, supporters, and slaves of the late 18th- early 19th Centuries. While it was argued that owning another human being was illegal, several slaveowners in England and the British colonies defied the law by continuing the practice of buying-selling-owning slaves. Upon the government outlawing slavery, it took many years to sort out the legal red tape before it was finally upheld. As well as politicians, there were many writers, critics, and poets who lobbied for abolition, and they were significant in promoting the anti-slavery message to the reading public via their works.
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