Abolition and Emancipation of Slaves in the United States of America (PDF)

Seminar paper from the year 2023 in the subject History - America, University of Yaounde II (PAN AFRICAN UNIVRSITY OF GOVERNNANCE, HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES), course: HISTORY, language: English, abstract: This essay is aimed at discussing abolition and emancipation in the United States. The essay would be focusing primarily on the brief history of abolition struggles, the emancipation proclamation by Abraham Lincoln, the Thirteenth Amendment, the roles or activities of some abolitionists in the United States, and a conclusion.

Slavery and the slave trade are one of the biggest crimes against humanity. From the 16th century to the late 19th century, it was seen as one of the biggest economic institutions in the world. Many slaves were taken from different parts of Africa and taken to the new world. What became known as the triangular slave trade emerged due to the shape of the three major trade routes.

The trade existed in three major phases. During the first stage, finished goods were taken from Europe to Africa; in the second stage, slaves were obtained from Africa and transported to the plantations in the Americas; and in the third stage, raw materials harvested from the plantations were exported to Europe to feed the industries. This continued for a long time. However, when slavery was declared illegal and unlawful by Great Britain and other European powers, many slave dealers did not want to let go easily. This was followed by slave revolts, and the use of law and force to stop slavery and emancipate the slaves.