An evaluation of the reasons for the success of the abolitionist campaign in 1807

Certainly, here are the key topics to revise regarding the success of the abolitionist campaign in 1807:

Engagement of the Masses

The abolitionist campaign was successful due to its ability to mobilise public sentiment. This was the first instance in English history where a large mass of people became politically engaged and active in a cause not directly affecting them.
This mass engagement was partly due to the effective use of propaganda. Pamphlets, posters and images were used to educate the public and create a moral outrage about the horrors of the slave trade. The “Brookes Ship” image is a prime example of such graphic imagery that stirred a strong emotional response.

Political Advocacy

In Parliament, the campaign had strong advocates like William Wilberforce who tirelessly led the legislative fight for abolition over many years, gaining the support of influential figures.
The abolitionists were able to link the cause to wider political issues at that time, including religious reform and Enlightenment thinking, making it appealing to a broader range of Parliament members.

The Role of Former Slaves

Former slaves played a significant role in the campaign’s success. Their written accounts, such as those by Olaudah Equiano, provided first-hand evidence of the horrors of the slave trade, making the issue more tangible and personal for the public and politicians.

Effects of the Haitian Revolution

The Haitian Revolution had a profound impact in Britain. The successful slave rebellion reminded Britain of the potential dangers and economic costs of maintaining the slave trade, providing a strong practical incentive to support abolition.

Economic Changes

By 1807, Britain had industrialised and the economic justification for slavery was weakening. New industries needed free labour, which contrasted with the fixed, high-cost maintenance required for enslaved individuals.
The shift towards an industrial, capitalist economy also led to new moral and economic ideologies that viewed slave labour as economically inefficient and morally incompatible with the principles of free market capitalism.

Always remember that the abolition of the trade in 1807 did not end slavery itself. Slavery continued in the British colonies until the Slavery Abolition Act in 1833. It’s also important to note that the driving forces behind the abolitionist movement were complex and interwoven, encompassing socio-political, economic and humanitarian factors.