The 1807 abolition of the slave trade
I can explain the causes of Britain's abolition of slavery, and how this led to Britain combating enslavement around the world.
The 1807 abolition of the slave trade
I can explain the causes of Britain's abolition of slavery, and how this led to Britain combating enslavement around the world.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Britain had been fighting a war against Napoleon since 1793 - the aftermath of the execution of Louis XVI of France.
- Many Britons believed their fight was for freedom against tyranny; enslavement was seen as tyranny not freedom.
- Other Britons drew comparisons between poor working conditions at home and the plight of enslaved people on plantations.
- The 1807 Slave Trade Act banned the buying, selling and transportation of enslaved humans throughout the British Empire.
- The British Navy then enforced abolition, policing the Atlantic and capturing slave ships, freeing those held on board.
Keywords
Tyranny - the oppression of people, usually under a dictator or tyrant
Abolition - the outlawing of enslavement by a particular country
Amplifying - making a sound louder or strengthening a point of view
Profited - making money from doing something
Inhumane - treating people in a way that goes against the dignity and respect human beings deserve
Common misconception
The 1807 Slave Trade Act freed all enslaved people in the British Empire.
The 1807 Slave Trade Act did not free all enslaved people in the British Empire, but did ban the buying, selling and transportation of enslaved individuals from that point forward.
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: The 1807 abolition of the slave trade, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: The 1807 abolition of the slave trade, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The Haitian Revolution: what was its role in the abolition of the slave trade? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
British Member of Parliament and abolitionist
leader of the Haitian Revolution
formerly enslaved man who published his autobiography
a slave ship on which a massacre of enslaved people occurred
Exit quiz
6 Questions
France
Great Britain
Spain