Slavery Timeline 1801-1900

WARNING! Page Under Construction! Some useful information may be available, but there are large gaps

This page will, over time, develop into a detailed timeline of the main historical, literary, and cultural events connected with British slavery, abolition, and emancipation between 1801 and 1900. It also includes references to the most significant events taking place outside of the British zone of influence. At the start of the nineteenth century Britain abolished her slave trade. Slavery itself was abolished in British colonies in the 1830s. After this the Royal Navy played a prominent part in suppressing slavery around the world. This seemingly enlightened approach strongly contrasted with British activity elsewhere: she consolidated her position as the foremost imperial power, formalised her empire, and added significantly to her colonial possessions in Africa and Asia. Click on a date in the list below, or scroll down the page, for information. Links are given to pages on this website only. For my sources and for further reading, look at the page Further Reading: Slavery, Abolition, and Emancipation.

1400-1500 | 1501-1600 | 1601-1700 | 1701-1800 | 1801 | 1825 | 1850 | 1875 | 1900 | 1901-2003

1801

1807

• 23 February 1807: British Parliament votes to abolish the trade in slaves.

1825

1850

1862

• 22 September 1862: Emancipation Proclamation issued by US President Abraham Lincoln.

1863

• 1 January 1863: US Emancipation Proclamation comes into force.

1865

• 31 January 1865: Thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States proposed. The amendment stated that: 'Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.'
• 6 December 1865: Ratification of thirteenth amendment completed.

1875

1900

1400-1500 | 1501-1600 | 1601-1700 | 1701-1800 | 1801 | 1825 | 1850 | 1875 | 1900 | 1901-2003

* This page last updated 9 April 2003 *

Main Slavery Page