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Slavery and Abolition

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Register of slaves, includes date of birth, state of health, and cause of death. For early 1800s

Introduction

Over four centuries an estimated 12–15 million African people were enslaved and forcibly transported across the Atlantic Ocean by European traders.

The archival collections grouped under this theme address many aspects of this harrowing history. They are particularly rich in documentation relating to Britain’s involvement in transatlantic slavery. This includes many records of British companies, merchants, and slave ships involved in the trade. Collections of family papers and business records from Jamaica, Antigua, and other Caribbean islands provide insights into the highly lucrative plantation economy that was dependent on enslaved labour.

The collections within this theme likewise evidence opposition to transatlantic slavery from abolitionists in Britain and the USA. It is also possible to trace resistance efforts from people of the African diaspora. In 1807, the Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade was passed in Britain. Yet this did not bring about an immediate end to the trade, which was continued by other nations. Nor did it grant freedom for those living in enslavement.

Slavery throughout the British empire was made illegal in 1833. As seen in the collections grouped here, however, other forms of exploitation and coercion continued in the Caribbean and Africa throughout the nineteenth century.

Collections

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Painting by artist Thomas Luny in 1788 of East India Company's Ships

Licensed to access British Mercantile Trade Statistics, 1662–1809

17th Century 18th Century 19th Century Modern History Economics Europe Asia Colonialism and Empire Africa The Americas Slavery and Abolition

Contributor The National Archives (UK) Contents 4 Volumes, 146 Documents (47,662 Pages)

In the foreground is the silhouette of the White House with the USA flag flying above it. The background is the Union Jack flag.

Licensed to access International Relations Between Britain and America, 1796-1848

18th Century 19th Century Modern History International Relations War, Security, and Intelligence Europe The Americas Slavery and Abolition

Contributor All Souls College Oxford, Nat Lib of Scotland Contents 9 Volumes, 40 Documents (8,722 Pages)

A black and white image of a gavel resting on a table with a globe in the background.

Licensed to access Colonial Law in Africa, 1808-1919

19th Century 20th Century Modern History Europe Colonialism and Empire Africa Slavery and Abolition

Contributor British Foreign & Commonwealth Office Contents 10 Volumes, 159 Documents (96,513 Pages)

Indigenous people of the colony of British Guiana are reviewed prior to their clean up operations, Demerara Slave Revolt in British Guiana in August-September 1823.

Licensed to access Caribbean Colonial Statistics from the British Empire, 1824-1950

19th Century 20th Century Modern History Economics Europe Colonialism and Empire The Americas Slavery and Abolition

Contributor British Foreign & Commonwealth Office Contents 21 Volumes, 319 Documents (188,844 Pages)

A painting of the 1840 convention of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society which was established to promote worldwide abolition. An elderly Thomas Clarkson is stood with his finger pointing in the air as he addresses a meeting of over 500 delegates.

Licensed to access Slavery Through Time: from Enslavers to Abolitionists, 1675-1865

18th Century 19th Century Modern History Economics Europe Colonialism and Empire Politics and Social Movements Africa The Americas Early Modern Slavery and Abolition

Contributor Bodleian Library, British Library, and others Contents 5 Volumes, 60 Documents (28,202 Pages)

Two ships sail on very choppy waters. One ship is closer to the foreground, while one is in the background, sailing into the light.

Licensed to access Power and Profit: British Colonial Trade in America and the Caribbean, 1678-1825

18th Century 19th Century Modern History International Relations Economics Colonialism and Empire The Americas Early Modern Slavery and Abolition

Contributor Public Record Office, London Contents 5 Volumes, 40 Documents (22,582 Pages)

Licensed to access American Records in the House of Lords Archive, 1621-1917

18th Century 19th Century 20th Century Modern History War, Security, and Intelligence Economics Europe Colonialism and Empire The Americas Early Modern Slavery and Abolition

Contributor Parliamentary Archives, UK Contents 9 Volumes, 77 Documents (42,367 Pages)

Enslaved people cutting down sugar cane.

Licensed to access Antigua, Slavery and Emancipation in the Records of a Sugar Plantation, 1689-1907

18th Century 19th Century 20th Century Modern History Economics Colonialism and Empire Politics and Social Movements The Americas Early Modern Slavery and Abolition

Contributor Somerset Record Office Contents 6 Volumes, 232 Documents (25,432 Pages)

Contextual Essays

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From the Archive: Researching the Lives of Enslaved People

Mary Wills

Published 7th March, 2024 22 min read