The Dawn of Abolition: Debunking Myths About the American Revolution and Slavery

In the early 1770s when the American Revolution was brewing, the idea of anti-slavery was not yet a mainstream concern in England. Many misconceptions have arisen over time, leading to the belief that the American Revolution was a reaction to anti-slavery bills introduced in Parliament. This article will clarify these myths and provide historical context.

The Truth About England's Stance on Slavery

England was staunchly pro-slavery in the 1760s. Parliament did not have any anti-slavery bills at that time as it would have severely disrupted British interests in the colonies, the Caribbean, South America, and Africa. England was deeply invested in the slave trade, and anti-slavery sentiment was practically non-existent in England itself.

According to historical records, the Pennsylvania Quakers were the first to push for the abolition of the slave trade in Britain. Their Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade presented its first petition against the slave trade in 1783, years after the War of Independence. This underscores the misconception that the American Revolution was fueled by anti-slavery sentiments in England.

The Absence of Anti-Slavery Laws During the Revolution

In 1775, when the American colonies were on the brink of rebellion, slave laws in England remained relatively unchanged. It is estimated that there were over 10,000 slaves in London alone before the official end of slavery in 1833. Most Southerners who remained loyal to England and joined the colonial cause had already passed away by the time of the revolution.

Key Figures in the Abolition Movement

The abolition movement in the United States began primarily in Pennsylvania. Historians often date the start of the abolitionist movement to around 1830, with figures like William Lloyd Garrison, Arthur and Lewis Tappan, Wendell Phillips, Theodore Weld, Sarah and Angelina Grimke, and Harriet Beecher Stowe leading the charge. Their writings and public speaking engagements garnered significant attention and threatened the status quo.

However, the roots of abolitionism in America can be traced back to earlier movements, particularly among American Quakers. During the 1740s and 1750s, a new generation of Quakers led by John Woolman, Anthony Benezet, and David Cooper protested against slavery and demanded that Quaker society sever ties with the slave trade. They succeeded in garnering popular sentiment, and by the 1750s, Quakers in Pennsylvania had tightened their rules to effectively ban participation in the slave trade. The Pennsylvania Abolition Society, founded in 1775, was a significant organization with Quakers at its core and played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad.

Conclusion

The American Revolution was fundamentally about securing independence from Great Britain, not just England. The movement for abolition in the United States, including the challenging struggles and religious influences, developed organically and was not solely an immediate reaction to anti-slavery bills in Parliament. The legacy of the Quakers and the broader abolition movement in Pennsylvania laid the groundwork for the eventual widespread rejection of slavery.