Abolition of slavery

Background and information on slave trade across Britain and the Atlantic Ocean, and related records of the National Archives

Download and display digital records related to Atlantic slave trade.

Visit the National Archives website, online trade show on slave trade, the history of the Caribbean, immigration to the UK.

Illustrations used on these pages are from the Jean Barbot journal held by the National Archives. Between 1678 and 1682, French distributor Jean Barbot traded money at the Gold Coast in West Africa (now Ghana). His magazine has done a variety of findings including many beautiful illustrations about African life. (Catalog numbers: ADM 7/830 A and ADM 7/830 B)

The abolition of slavery was done at different times in different countries. For example, it often happens at several stages, such as abolishing the transaction of slaves in a particular country, and then abolishing slavery throughout the empire. Each step is usually the result of a separate law or action. This schedule shows the abolition of the laws and actions listed in chronological order. It also includes the abolition of serfdom. Louis X. announced the law on the abolition of slavery, declared that "France means freedom" and declared that the slaves to board the French soil should be liberated. However, some limited slavery cases continued in some Mediterranean ports of Provence in France until the 17th century, and in some foreign territories of France until the 18th century. Between 1315 and 1318, most of the aspects of serfdom have been virtually eliminated.

Part I: The first part of the discussion on the abolition of slavery and slavery and anti-slavery abolition: the multinational archives currently available are the African slavery that enslaved slavery from the 16th century to 1888 It is a story. It shows a struggle and discussion on slavery practice, experience and ultimate abolition. Part I: Discussion on slavery and abolition includes over 7,000 books and pamphlets, 80 newspapers and periodicals, and a dozen major manuscript collections. From well-known journals to less-known short-lived journals, from domestic records to personal communication, various sources - academic researchers, historians, undergraduates, graduate students, teachers, other hard work slavery Support people learning history