Question

Difficulty: MediumThe Slave Trade and its Abolition

The Quakers and the Member of Parliament William Wilberforce were central to a long campaign that achieved two major legislative milestones in the early 19th century. Which of the following correctly distinguishes the outcome of the 1807 Act from the outcome of the 1833 Act?

  1. The 1807 Act made the trading of enslaved people illegal on British ships, while the 1833 Act abolished slavery throughout the British Empire.Answer
  2. B
    The 1807 Act abolished slavery throughout the British Empire, whereas the 1833 Act was passed to stop the trading of enslaved people on British ships.
  3. C
    The 1807 Act focused on freeing enslaved people living in the UK, while the 1833 Act made it illegal to transport enslaved people across the Atlantic.
  4. D
    The 1807 Act was the first to grant voting rights to formerly enslaved people, whereas the 1833 Act made it illegal for British merchants to own plantations.

Answer

The 1807 Act prohibited the trading of enslaved people on British ships and in British ports, while the 1833 Act abolished slavery throughout the entire British Empire.
The 1807 Act, following a long campaign by the Quakers and William Wilberforce, made it illegal to trade enslaved people on British ships and in British ports. However, it did not end slavery itself. That milestone was achieved later with the 1833 Act, which abolished slavery throughout the British Empire.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the purpose of the 1807 Act.
It was the result of a campaign by the Quakers and William Wilberforce to end the slave trade.
The 1807 Act specifically targeted the buying and selling of people on British ships.
2
Identify the purpose of the 1833 Act.
It was the second major milestone which ended the institution of slavery itself.
By 1833, the movement successfully campaigned for the total abolition of slavery across all British territories.
3
Compare the outcomes to distinguish between 'trade' and 'abolition'.
1807 ended the trade; 1833 ended the practice of ownership.
Understanding this sequence is a core requirement of the Life in the UK history syllabus.

Key Concept

The distinction between the Abolition of the Slave Trade (1807) and the Abolition of Slavery (1833).
Estimated Time:45s
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