Society
Slavery abolished
An institution older than writing ends within a century
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The change came from several forces at once: revolt by the enslaved themselves, above all Haiti; religious movements such as the Quakers; and British naval power enforcing the ban at sea. The British paid enormous compensation to slave owners — not to the freed — and the loan was only paid off in 2015. Forced labour still exists on a large scale.
For children
Slavery had been common in almost every society throughout history. Within a century it was banned nearly everywhere — first the trade, then the institution. Brazil was last, in 1888.
Connects to
Part of Terra Saga — the story of Earth on a timeline. terrasaga.org