A Timeline of Human Rights
(Under Construction)
March 25,
1807
The British empire abolishes the slave trade
Under great pressure from civil society organizations, the Parliament bans British ships from participating in the trade.
The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act imposed a fine of £100 for every slave found aboard a British ship. The intention was to entirely outlaw the slave trade within the British Empire, but the trade continued and captains in danger of being caught by the Royal Navy would often throw slaves into the sea to reduce the fine. In 1827, Britain declared that participation in the slave trade was piracy and punishable by death.
It remained legal to own slaves (but not sell them) in the British Empire until a further act of Parliament in 1833.