Abolitionism

 Abolitionism
 The concept of abolitionism is rooted in history. Eisenstark and Weber (2010) relates to
slavery and, specifically efforts made toward eliminating slavery, when referring to abolitionism,
as abolitionism was a social movement with the aim of eliminating slavery through the
enactment of anti-slavery laws. Today, abolitionism exists in the form of many countries having
laws that prohibit slavery. Overall, abolitionism relates to the responsibility of leaders to trend
toward eliminating slavery by enacting laws that rendered it illegal.
 Abolitionism was founded in the realization that slavery was barbaric against humans
(Eisenstark & Weber, 2010). The earliest in the effort to abolish slavery is evident with the
Spanish Crown (in the Americas). Additionally, under Charles V’s empire, the Spanish Crown
passed the Laws of the Indies in 1542, which declared freedom for all American natives
(Eisenstark & Weber, 2010). However, this was only an action toward abolitionism, but the
Spanish Crown did not actually abolish slavery, as Africans continued to be slaves. Besides that,
these laws were only in effect until 1545 (Eisenstark & Weber, 2010).
 After the Spanish law failed, abolitionism seemed to have been stalled. However, some
religious groups resurrected the subject of abolitionism again in the seventeenth century.
Regarding this issue, Christians viewed slavery as un-Christian and advocated that it needed to
be abolished (Eisenstark & Weber, 2010). The enlightenment period began in the eighteenth
century and was a very important time for the abolitionism debate. Rational thinking emerged
during this period as well. With this new thinking, slavery was regarded as inhumane and it was
seen as a violation of human rights. Sentiments regarding abolishing slavery were high during
this enlightenment period; however, these sentiments alone were not effective in influencing the
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trend toward deviating from slavery and abolishing it (Eisenstark & Weber, 2010). The
Summerset case in 1772 was an influential event abolishing slavery in England. After this event,
many abolitionism actions followed. In 1780, following the Summerset case, an act to abolish
slavery was passed in Pennsylvania. Afterwards, Canada was among the first countries to follow
suit to initiate abolitionism efforts in the country. In 1793, Upper Canada passed legislation to
end slavery (Peterson, 2010), and Lower Canada followed this action in 1803. In 1807, Britain
then passed a law that banned the importation of African slaves. This measure had far-reaching
effects in reducing the practice of slavery, because Britain was a main destination for imported
slaves, especially African slaves. In 1833, France followed in Britain’s footsteps and passed the
Slavery Abolition Act. However, the United States did not follow, at the time, and slavery was
still common in the United States (Peterson, 2010). However, this was halted in 1865 when the
United States passed the 13th amendment to the United States Constitution, which resulted in the
abolishment of slavery in the country.
 It is a fact that abolitionism did not cease because of acts enacted to abolish slavery
worldwide (Peterson, 2010). Instead, abolitionism continued due to those oppressed seeking to
gain their freedom and liberty. Emancipation reform is a result of this initiative that surfaced in
1861. Overall, emancipation reform refers to liberal reform instituted in Russia, which regarded
the serfs (a group of people in rural populations who were considered a specific slave category in
society). Through emancipation reform, more than three million serfs were granted freedom from
this type of slavery (Peterson, 2010).
 Abolitionism produced many key figures, such as Bartolomé de las Casas, a highly
influential person who convinced the Spanish Crown to pass laws to abolish slavery. Another
key figure was William Wilberforce who played a pivotal role in influencing the enactment of
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the Slave Trade and Slavery Abolition acts, in Britain (Eisenstark & Weber, 2010). Other key
people in Britain who championed for abolitionism were Kames Ramsey, Thomas Clarkson, and
Olaudah Equiano. Additionally, abolitionists in Italy included Francesco Bartolozzi. Significant
groups that played major roles in abolitionism include the African Association, which was
formed in 1788, and the American Anti-slavery Society. Today, law has abolished slavery in
most every country in the world (Eisenstark & Weber, 2010).
Conclusion
 As mentioned, abolitionism was the result of a trend of laws established that eliminated
slavery in various countries, such as France, Canada, Britain, and the United States. Essentially,
abolitionism took root in countries where slavery had become both a tradition as well as a trade,
which is the reason enacting laws in those countries to abolish slavery was so important.
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References
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