On This Day in 1834, Britain Officially Outlawed Slavery

Britain officially outlawed slavery on this day in 1834

Exactly 185 years ago (August 1) today in Britain, an act of Parliament came into force abolishing slavery in most British colonies, freeing more than
800,000 enslaved Africans in the Caribbean and South Africa as well as a small number in Canada.

Britain officially outlawed slavery on this day in 1834

The act had received a Royal Assent on August 28, 1833, but only took effect on this day the following year (1834).

Britain officially outlawed slavery on this day in 1834

The Act also made Canada a free territory for enslaved American blacks. Thousands of fugitive slaves and free blacks subsequently arrived on Canadian soil between 1834 and the early 1860s.

A picture representation of the excitement of slaves on the announcement of the abolishment of slavery | bernardlauw.com
Uzonna Anele
Uzonna Anele
Anele is a web developer and a Pan-Africanist who believes bad leadership is the only thing keeping Africa from taking its rightful place in the modern world.

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