William Wilberforce
The abolitionists.
The Museum
Introducing you to William.
When William left University he soon became elected as a member of Parliament for his hometown, Hull.
From there on, he would never have the same easy life again.
His role in history.
The trade triangle.
- Textiles and manufactured goods were shipped to Africa.
- Then the African slaves were taken from Africa to the West Indies.
- Sugar, cotton, and tobacco were brought back to Europe from the West Indies.
The triangle went on.
William's role in the abolition movement.
The business was a trade of black, African slaves. White British men took the slaves to the West Indies to be bought and sold. Wilberforce tried to persuade people that this trade was immoral. One human being selling another was very wrong. His work was endless. For 18 years he kept introducing anti-slavery motions into Parliament to stop the trade. in 1796 he thought he was going to defeat Parliament and sign the bill to prevent slave trade, but was beaten by a mere 4 votes. Until finally he got is way in 1807. However the movement was still not over. Although the trade was banned from shipping slaves over, it had no effect on the slaves who were already employed. They had to keep on working. So William kept on fighting to free the already bought slaves.
William Wilberforce statue
William Wilberforce drawing
William Wilberforce painting
William's Methods
William Wilberforce's Historical Significance.
- He made people trust him, this meant it would be easier for him to win against Parliament.
- He spent years trying to get coloured people's human rights back to what they should be.
- He was a focal point in the public eye in the slave trade, and a spokes person in Parliament.
- Without him, the slave trade would have gone on for a much longer amount out time.
- He stopped one way of earning lots of money in England, however he stopped an inhumane trade.
- It made society re-think it's values towards other human beings.
- He founded the committee for the abolition of slavery.
- Through this he led the first mass protest campaign.