67. Slavery's Demise

In the second part of their series on the abolition of slavery, Anita Arnon and William Durhampool, along with historian Michael Taylor, delve into the shift in abolitionist strategy, moving from ending the slave trade to advocating for the complete emancipation of slaves. They discuss key figures like Thomas Fowell Buxton and Elizabeth Heyrick, whose grassroots activism and boycott campaigns significantly influenced public opinion. The conversation explores the economic and political factors at play, including the role of the West Indian planters, the influence of figures like George Canning and the Duke of Wellington, and the impact of slave revolts such as the Christmas Rebellion in Jamaica. The discussion also covers the complexities and contradictions within the abolitionist movement, the resistance from pro-slavery factions, and the eventual passage of the 1833 Abolition Act, while also highlighting the fact that Britain was not the first to abolish slavery. The episode concludes by examining the aftermath of abolition, including the apprenticeship system and the ongoing struggles for true freedom and equality for formerly enslaved Africans.