Slavery, Freedom Day and Gladstone
I’ve noticed a few references to Freedom Day being the bicentenary of the end of slavery.
This is of course incorrect - 2007 is 200 years since the trans-Atlantic slave trade was abolished. This is still a very important event, it marked the end of the horrendous inhuman trade in people across the Atlantic, and makes the calls for the government to improve its shameful record on human trafficking even more relevant.
I doubt, but cannot say for certain, that this marked the end of slave trading in the British Empire, which since slavery was still legal could probably still happen.
It wasn’t until 1833 that slavery was finally abolished in the British Empire. This also occasioned something of note in the history of the Liberal Party, W.E. Gladstone’s maiden speech. Not, as you might expect from the Grand Old Man of the Liberal Party, in favour of the abolishment, but against it, defending his father’s interests in the West Indian colonies.
This of course was characteristic of the young WEG who was as Tory as you could get, it would have shocked anyone who knew him that one day he’d disestablish the Church of Ireland and work for Home Rule…
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January 8th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Although, it was 1st August 1834 when the Emancipation Bill came into force, and not until 1838 that apprenticeship ended (ahead of schedule) and thus full legal freedom granted.
Slave Trading by Britons did happen illicitly after 1807, although the Registration Act and other measures probably helped curbed its use within the British Empire.
I think WEG later dismissed his earlier opinion on slavery as consequent of that time. But he was never particularly exercised on the subject, unlike Russell and Palmerston.
Good to see someone blogging on this! :-)
Best,
Richard.