The Truth About Slavery

It’s ugly and white people did NOT invent it

Exeter Hall, the great anti-slavery meeting, 1841 (courtesy Library of Congress)

Slavery has existed since the beginning of recorded human history. People of all races have been enslaved by people of all races. In the 1800s, good people in Europe and America led the world in trying to put an end to the inhumane practice.

Britain was the first country to pass a slavery abolition act in 1833. France followed in 1848, abolishing slavery in her many colonies. In the United States, slavery was abolished in 1865 with the adoption of the 13th Amendment.

In the 1800s, good people in Europe and America led the world in trying to put an end to the inhumane practice.

How did slavery begin?

The history of slavery is complicated. Slavery has existed throughout recorded human history. As much as a third of the population of the ancient world was enslaved. While there were slaves during the time of the ancient Egyptians 5,000 years ago, it’s interesting that, contrary to popular belief, slaves did not build the pyramids. Slavery existed during the time of the Roman empire.

Slaves were a major item of commerce — it was just how the world operated.