The Abolition of Slavery in the British Empire (1833)

An illustrated history story from Wonder History — free to read, with narration.

The Abolition of Slavery in the British Empire (1833) — an illustrated history story, featuring William Wilberforce, Thomas Clarkson, William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield, set in British Empire. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder History.

The Abolition of Slavery in the British Empire (1833) — book cover — Wonder History
The Abolition of Slavery in the British Empire (1833) — an illustrated history story, featuring William Wilberforce, Thomas Clarkson, William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield, set in British Empire. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder History.

Page 1

The shouts echoed through the House of Commons.
The shouts echoed through the House of Commons.

The shouts echoed through the House of Commons.

Page 2

It began decades earlier, Thomas Clarkson explained to a hushed audience in Cambridge. He held up chains and manacles used on slave ships.
It began decades earlier, Thomas Clarkson explained to a hushed audience in Cambridge. He held up chains and manacles used on slave ships. "These are the tools of unimaginable cruelty," he declared, his voice trembling with emotion. "But where does it all begin?"

It began decades earlier, Thomas Clarkson explained to a hushed audience in Cambridge. He held up chains and manacles used on slave ships. "These are the tools of unimaginable cruelty," he declared, his voice trembling with emotion. "But where does it all begin?"

Page 3

Olaudah Equiano, a former slave, testified before a parliamentary committee. "I was stolen from my home in Africa," he recounted, his voice strong despite the…
Olaudah Equiano, a former slave, testified before a parliamentary committee. "I was stolen from my home in Africa," he recounted, his voice strong despite the pain etched on his face. "The horrors I witnessed... they cannot be described." He pauses to compose himself, and then continues, "They must be abolished."

Olaudah Equiano, a former slave, testified before a parliamentary committee. "I was stolen from my home in Africa," he recounted, his voice strong despite the pain etched on his face. "The horrors I witnessed... they cannot be described." He pauses to compose himself, and then continues, "They must be abolished."

Page 4

Granville Sharp paced his study, surrounded by legal documents. "Somerset v Stewart!" he exclaimed to a visitor. "Lord Mansfield's ruling changed everything!"…
Granville Sharp paced his study, surrounded by legal documents. "Somerset v Stewart!" he exclaimed to a visitor. "Lord Mansfield's ruling changed everything!" He gestured to a document: "It established that slavery could not exist on English soil."

Granville Sharp paced his study, surrounded by legal documents. "Somerset v Stewart!" he exclaimed to a visitor. "Lord Mansfield's ruling changed everything!" He gestured to a document: "It established that slavery could not exist on English soil."

Page 5

Charles Fox rose to speak in Parliament. "We must end this vile trade," he thundered, his voice echoing through the chamber.
Charles Fox rose to speak in Parliament. "We must end this vile trade," he thundered, his voice echoing through the chamber. "It is a stain on our nation's honor. Justice demands it!" He swept his arm across the chamber, engaging the members directly.

Charles Fox rose to speak in Parliament. "We must end this vile trade," he thundered, his voice echoing through the chamber. "It is a stain on our nation's honor. Justice demands it!" He swept his arm across the chamber, engaging the members directly.

Page 6

Wilberforce pressed on, year after year, introducing bill after bill. The opposition was fierce.
Wilberforce pressed on, year after year, introducing bill after bill. The opposition was fierce.

Wilberforce pressed on, year after year, introducing bill after bill. The opposition was fierce.

Page 7

Lord Mansfield, now aged and frail, watched the debates from his estate. He remembered his earlier ruling. A nearby friend asks if he regrets his decision.
Lord Mansfield, now aged and frail, watched the debates from his estate. He remembered his earlier ruling. A nearby friend asks if he regrets his decision. He paused and then stated, "As Edmund Burke said, 'All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.'"

Lord Mansfield, now aged and frail, watched the debates from his estate. He remembered his earlier ruling. A nearby friend asks if he regrets his decision. He paused and then stated, "As Edmund Burke said, 'All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.'"

Page 8

Finally, the moment arrived. The vote was called. Members lined up, their faces etched with anticipation. The Ayes had it! The Slave Trade Act of 1807 passed!
Finally, the moment arrived. The vote was called. Members lined up, their faces etched with anticipation. The Ayes had it! The Slave Trade Act of 1807 passed! Cheers erupted, shaking the very foundations of Parliament.

Finally, the moment arrived. The vote was called. Members lined up, their faces etched with anticipation. The Ayes had it! The Slave Trade Act of 1807 passed! Cheers erupted, shaking the very foundations of Parliament.

Page 9

Equiano heard the news in London, surrounded by friends and supporters. Tears streamed down his face. "Freedom!" he exclaimed. "At last, justice has prevailed!"
Equiano heard the news in London, surrounded by friends and supporters. Tears streamed down his face. "Freedom!" he exclaimed. "At last, justice has prevailed!"

Equiano heard the news in London, surrounded by friends and supporters. Tears streamed down his face. "Freedom!" he exclaimed. "At last, justice has prevailed!"

Page 10

Though the fight continued for full emancipation, this was a turning point. The British Empire, once the greatest purveyor of enslaved people, had begun to…
Though the fight continued for full emancipation, this was a turning point. The British Empire, once the greatest purveyor of enslaved people, had begun to dismantle the system. The echoes of that victory reverberated around the world, inspiring future generations to fight for freedom and equality for all.

Though the fight continued for full emancipation, this was a turning point. The British Empire, once the greatest purveyor of enslaved people, had begun to dismantle the system. The echoes of that victory reverberated around the world, inspiring future generations to fight for freedom and equality for all.

About this story

  • Historical figures: William Wilberforce, Thomas Clarkson, William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield
  • Location: British Empire
  • Period: Modern
  • Audience: general readers

Questions and answers

Questions and answers about The Abolition of Slavery in the British Empire (1833)

Read Wonder History on your phone

Wonder History is available on Android and iPhone and iPad. Get Wonder History on Google Play · Get Wonder History on the App Store.

More Wonder History stories

All Wonder History stories · Open the library