Why did slavery begin and why was it abolished in French colonies
Answers
Answer:
Slavery is very ancient: the oldest laws we have are simply rules for something already existing. This was because having rights originally depended on being members of a kin-group, or adopted into it.
As for French abolition, the Abolition of slavery timeline says it was largely abolished in Metropolitan France in 1315. But French colonies like other colonies found slave labour convenient.
It was abolished in French possessions in 1794 in a fit of radican enthusiasm. Napoleon restored it in 1802.
They finally got rid of it as part of the enthusiasm for the French Second Republic in 1848.
Explanation:
The slave trade began in the 17th century.
The colonies in the Caribbean – Martinique, Guadeloupe and San Domingo – were important suppliers
of commodities such as tobacco, indigo, sugar and coffee. But the reluctance of Europeans to go and
work in distant and unfamiliar lands meant a shortage of labour on the plantations. So this was met
by a triangular slave trade between Europe, Africa and the Americas.
Throughout the eighteenth century there was little criticism of slavery in France. The National
Assembly did not pass any laws, fearing opposition from businessmen whose incomes depended on
the slave trade. It was the Convention which in 1794 legislated to free all slaves in the French overseas
possessions. This, however, turned out to be a short-term measure. Ten years later, Napoleon
reintroduced slavery. Plantation owners understood their freedom as including the right to enslave
African Negroes in pursuit of their economic interests. Slavery was finally abolished in French colonies
in 1848.