Abolition of the Slave Trade: Economic Pressure vs Moral Argument (1807)
by Anonymous
William Wilberforce argued for abolition on moral grounds for 20 years. The breakthrough came when abolitionists reframed it as an economic argument too — slave trade enriched France and rival powers.
Moral + Economic Argument Combined
1807
year
Slavery is wrong AND helps our enemies
argument
Wilberforce, Clarkson
key advocate
Chosen — Slave Trade Act passed 1807
outcome
Moral Argument Alone
1789-1807
year
Slavery is inherently evil
argument
Wilberforce
key advocate
Failed repeatedly for 18 years on its own
outcome
Gradual Phase-Out
1807
year
Slow transition to free labor
argument
Moderate parliamentarians
key advocate
Not adopted — full trade ban passed
outcome
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