Chapter 5 Factors that lead to the abolishment of the slave trade in Africa

There were several key factors that led to the abolishment of the slave trade in Africa:

1. Enlightenment ideals: The Age of Enlightenment, which occurred in the 18th century, brought about the concept of human rights and a growing consciousness of the immorality of slavery. Intellectuals and philosophers of the time, such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Voltaire, pushed for the abolition of slavery and began to question the ethics of the slave trade.

2. Influence of Christian missionaries: Christian missionaries played a significant role in the abolitionist movement by spreading their beliefs that all humans are equal before God, thereby challenging the institution of slavery. They helped shift public opinion, particularly in Europe and North America, towards the abolitionist cause.

3. Economic and technological changes: As the Industrial Revolution gained momentum in Europe, new economic systems emerged that were less dependent on slave labor. Industrialization led to increased mechanization and the rise of factories, making it less necessary for Europeans to rely on African slaves for labor. This shift weakened the economic incentive for slave trading.

4. International pressure: By the late 18th century, several European countries, such as Great Britain, began to enact legislation to abolish the transatlantic slave trade. In 1807, Britain passed the Slave Trade Act, followed by the United States in 1808, prohibiting the importation of slaves. These actions put pressure on other countries to follow suit and led to increased international condemnation of the slave trade.

5. Resistance movements: Slave rebellions, resistance efforts, and uprisings from enslaved individuals in Africa and the Americas had a significant impact on public opinion and contributed to the abolitionist cause. Notable examples include the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804), led by Toussaint Louverture, and various rebellions in Brazil and the Caribbean.

6. Abolitionist movements: Grassroots abolitionist movements and organizations, such as the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade (founded in Britain in 1787) and the Anti-Slavery Society (founded in the United States in 1833), were instrumental in raising awareness about the inhumanity of slavery and pressuring governments to take action.

7. Economic decline: As the trade in palm oil, ivory, and other commodities grew in importance, African states realized that the slave trade was detrimental to their long-term economic interests. Many African leaders saw the abolition of the slave trade as an opportunity to develop legitimate economic relationships with European nations.

Overall, a combination of moral, economic, social, and political factors led to the eventual abolishment of the slave trade in Africa. These factors interacted and reinforced each other, gradually shifting public opinion and ultimately resulting in legal measures to end the trade.