The Abolition Movement

The abolition movement was a powerful campaign to end slavery around the world. People of all backgrounds joined together to fight this injustice. They organized petitions, wrote books, and gave speeches. Their efforts led to the end of slavery in country after country.

Leaders of Abolition

In Britain, William Wilberforce spent decades pushing Parliament to ban the slave trade. In the United States, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman were powerful voices against slavery. Olaudah Equiano, a formerly enslaved man, wrote a bestselling book about his experiences. These leaders inspired millions.

Victory Against Slavery

Britain banned the slave trade in 1807 and freed all enslaved people in 1833. France abolished slavery in 1848. In America, the Civil War led to the 13th Amendment ending slavery in 1865. Brazil was the last country in the Americas to end slavery, in 1888.

Fun Facts

• William Wilberforce worked for 20 years before Parliament finally banned the British slave trade.
• The abolitionist movement used sugar boycotts to protest slavery on sugar plantations.
• Brazil was the last country in the Western Hemisphere to abolish slavery, in 1888.

Did You Know?

British women played a huge role in the abolition movement by organizing boycotts of sugar produced by enslaved workers.