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The abolition of the slave trade and slavery

Study note

Over time a strong movement against slavery grew in Britain. The first formal anti-slavery groups were set up by the Quakers in the late 1700s. One of the most famous campaigners was William Wilberforce, a member of Parliament and an evangelical Christian. He was a leading abolitionist, so any statement saying he supported the slave trade is false.

Their campaigning brought results in two stages. In 1807 it became illegal to trade slaves on British ships or from British ports. Then in 1833 the Emancipation Act abolished slavery itself throughout the whole British Empire. Keep these two dates separate: 1807 ended the trade, 1833 ended slavery. Afterwards, around 2 million Indian and Chinese workers were brought in to replace the freed slaves on the plantations.

Memory tip: Wilberforce + the Quakers campaign; slave trade banned 1807; slavery abolished 1833.

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Question 1 of 7

In which year was it made illegal to trade slaves on British ships?

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Show all questions and answers for The abolition of the slave trade and slavery(7 questions with explanations)

The abolition of the slave trade and slavery: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. In which year was it made illegal to trade slaves on British ships?

    • 1807
    • 1833
    • 1789
    • 1851

    Correct answer: 1807

    In 1807 it became illegal to trade slaves on British ships or from British ports.

  2. 2. In which year did the Emancipation Act abolish slavery throughout the British Empire?

    • 1801
    • 1846
    • 1833
    • 1807

    Correct answer: 1833

    The Emancipation Act of 1833 abolished slavery throughout the British Empire.

  3. 3. Which member of Parliament was a leading campaigner against the slave trade?

    • Isambard Kingdom Brunel
    • Charles Stuart Parnell
    • Robert Walpole
    • William Wilberforce

    Correct answer: William Wilberforce

    William Wilberforce was a leading abolitionist.

  4. 4. Which religious group set up the first formal anti-slavery groups in Britain?

    • The Quakers
    • The Puritans
    • The Presbyterians
    • The Huguenots

    Correct answer: The Quakers

    The Quakers set up the first formal anti-slavery groups in the late 1700s.

  5. 5. Which of these statements is NOT true?

    • The slave trade was made illegal in 1807
    • William Wilberforce supported the slave trade
    • Slavery was abolished throughout the British Empire in 1833

    Correct answer: William Wilberforce supported the slave trade

    William Wilberforce was a leading campaigner against the slave trade, not a supporter of it.

  6. 6. The slave trade was made illegal in 1807; in which year was slavery itself abolished across the Empire?

    • 1801
    • 1846
    • 1833
    • 1851

    Correct answer: 1833

    Slavery was abolished throughout the British Empire in 1833.

  7. 7. After 1833, Indian and Chinese workers were employed to replace the freed slaves on plantations.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. After 1833, around 2 million Indian and Chinese workers replaced the freed slaves.

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