"We cannot suppose therefore that God has made an order of beings, with such mental qualities and powers, for the sole purpose of being used as beasts, or instruments of labour."Thomas Clarkson |
Abolition
The commemorations taking place in 2007 mark 200 years since the Act of Parliament that outlawed the Transatlantic Slave Trade. This Act was passed on March 25th 1807 after a 20 year struggle by abolitionist campaigners that included Olaudah Equiano alongside Thomas Clarkson, Granville Sharp and other well-known figures and in the context of slave resistance and rebellion in the colonies. It is important to remember that this Act of Parliament did not free the slaves in the British colonies: they remained enslaved for many more years, with full freedom not achieved until 1838 even though the Emancipation Act was passed in 1833.
The 1807 Act was designed to end the transatlantic slave trade and to outlaw anyone, of any country, caught trading in human flesh. The barbarity of the slave trade had been well-documented by those involved in the abolitionist movement and by the activities of the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade, which had been founded in 1787.
We have developed a newsletter with DIT that contains material to help Manchester teachers respond to pupil questions about the commemoration and develop work around the issue. The material includes a description of Manchester’s role in the abolition crusade; a timeline pointing to key facts and figures; and a guide to useful websites and other sources.
Through our research into Manchester's role in the abolition crusade we have been a been able to produce a list of references that we have used to uncover this history available at the website. Please come and visit us If you would like to see this list so you can do some research for yourself.
