Abolition of Slavery in Colonies


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Abolition of Slavery in Colonies

The Abolition Of Slavery: The greatest social reform made by the Jacobin government was to abolish slavery in French colonies. The French colonies in the Caribbean like Martinique, Guadeloupe and San Domingo were important suppliers of tobacco, indigo, sugar, coffee etc. The French needed workers for plantations in these areas, but the Europeans did not want to work in distant, unknown lands. Thus, a three way trade in slaves started between Europe, Africa and America in the 17th century. This was known as triangular slave trade, French merchants sailed from the ports of Bordeaux or Nantes to the African coast, where they bought slaves from local chieftains. They were branded, shackled and packed tightly into ships for three-month long voyage. Throughout the 18th century, there was little criticism of slavery in France.

The process of slavery abolition in France: One of the most revolutionary social reforms of the jacobin period was the abolition of slavery in the French colonies.

The colonies in the Caribbean- Martinique, Guadeloupe and San Domingo - were important suppliers of commodities such as tabacco, indigo, sugar and coffee.

But because of shortage of labour on the plantations encouraged the triangular slave trading between Europe, Africa and the Americas in seventeenth century. French merchants bought the slaves from local chieftains from ports like Nantes or Bordeaux African coast. then they were sold to plantation owners.

However, slavery was not criticised largely throughout the 18th century. The National Assembly held long debates about the rights of man but fearing opposition from businessmen it did not pass any laws to abolish slave trade.

In 1974 the Convention Legislated to free all slaves in the french overseas possessions but it lasted for a short term. After ten years, slavery was reintroduce by Napoleon. it was finally abolished in 1848in French colonies.

Sample Questions
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Question : 1

The colonies in the Caribbean were important suppliers of _________________.

Right Option : C
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Question : 2

Why did the National Assembly not pass any laws against slave labour ?

Right Option : A
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Question : 3

In which year slavery was declared illegal in France?

Right Option : C
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