The Short-Term Contribution of William Wilberforce to the Abolition of the Slave Trade in 1807 - Coursework Example

? The Short-term Contribution of William Wilberforce to the Abolition of the Slave trade in 1807 April 20, Introduction Abolition of slavery needs convincing prowess. The research delves on William Wilberforce’s role in abolishing slavery. The research delves on religious and other factors in the desire to abolish slavery. William Wilberforce was instrumental in abolishing slavery in 1807. Astute group William Wilberforce joined an astute group of United Kingdom politicians who focused all their time, energy, and money to abolishing the United Kingdom slave trade (Wilberface & Wilberface, 1838). The group includes historical greats in the anti-slave trade movement during the 1800s. Charles Fox is one of the active members of the same group. Henry Thornton is another member of the anti-slave trade. The group agreed to sponsor the 1807 anti-slavery trade. The group is one of the active coalition sectors of the United Kingdom House of Commons. The final product of the group’s many years combined anti-slavery efforts had precipitated to the historic passing of the United Kingdom 1807 anti-slavery act. 1807 Anti-Slavery Act Prior to the passing of the 1807 anti-slavery act, the United Kingdom Parliament had passed into law the slavery quota benchmarks. The law sets the maximum number of slaves that can be transported in a ship. A research conducted by the 1789 Privy Council explained the atrocities suffered by the slaves from the time of their kidnapping or sale to the time of their transfer or sale to the new slave owners. During 1791, a group of anti-slavery politicians tried their best to stop the slave trade. However, the United Kingdom Parliament voted to disapprove the proposed anti-slavery laws. Unfortunately, the voting showed that 163 law makers in the House of Commons voted disapprove the proposed anti-slavery law. Only 88 law makers preferred the approval of the proposed anti-slavery laws (Rodriguez, 1997). As a law maker, William Wilberforce contributed his law making prowess to the abolition of slavery (Wilberface & Wilberface, 1838). William Wilberforce is a member of the United Kingdom Parliament. As member, William Wilberforce votes on certain law proposals. When the majority vote wins, the wish or petition of the majority voters will be implemented. William Wilberforce spent many years generating support for the abolition of slavery in the United Kingdom. After William Wilberforce succeeded in passing the 1807 that abolished slavery, William Wilberforce went farther. William Wilberforce supported group moves to abolish the slave trade outside the United Kingdom. After many years of persuasive convincing, countries like Sweden, Portugal and Holland, other European Union countries adhered to William Wilberforce’s insistence that slavery should be stopped within the soonest possible time (Rodriguez, 1997). Further, William Wilberforce was able to unite several individuals to focus on one main goal, abolishing the slave trade. Wilberforce worked for more than 15 years to see his dream of a free African British environment a reality. Wilberforce successfully convinced his fellow United Kingdom lawmakers to approve his desire to stop the inhuman slave trade. During those more than 15 years, William Wilberforce’s loyal followers continued to grow in force. With the needed numbers in place, William Wilberforce finally saw the lives of the kidnapped African British slaves’ iron chained unlocked. Furthermore, William Wilberforce was very honest and sincere in explaining the religious consequences of continuing the slave trade. William Wilberforce uses his religious concepts to convince the religious members of the United Kingdom parliament to cancel the prevailing slave trade. William Wilberforce was able to connect with the religious members of the United Kingdom Parliament (Rodriguez, 1997). Voting In 1792, 230 law makers voted to gradually end United Kingdom slavery practices (Rodriguez, 1997). Only a meager 85 law makers disapproved the anti-slavery law. With the win, the law makers pinpointed to 1796 as the day for the compulsory implementation of the anti-slavery law. However, the conservation politicians decided to prevent the implementation of the winning anti-slavery law. Further, the General Abolition Bill of 1807 finally closed the slavery trade in the United Kingdom. However, the slavery trade continued on a declining trend until the year 1833. The General Abolition Bill of 1807 is a major victory of the anti-slavery advocates, especially for William Wilberforce. The bill ended the 30 year battle to stop Britain’s slavery history. After 1807, the anti-slavery forces focused on increasing the anti-slavery sentiment. The British nation distributed its proposal stop slavery around the world. Consequently, the British anti-slavery activities grew stronger and stronger until it became the ethical standard to release all slaves from captivity and stop selling the kidnapped African American natives (Rodriguez, 1997). Further Voting When the William Wilberforce bill- inspired proposed bill was presented for voting to the House of Lords, the final vote was 100 in favor of abolishing the United Kingdom slave trade. On the other hand, the slave trade proponents generated a low 36 vote outcome. In the House of Commons, the prior political leaders of our nation generated an n insurmountable 283 votes in favor of abolishing the slave trade. As expected, the political leaders who preferred the continuance of the profitable slave trade generated a dismal 16 votes. Consequently, United Kingdom King approved the bill into law on March 25, 1807. The bill took effect on January 1, 1808. Immediately after the proposed bill became a full pledged law, two United Kingdom ships were sent to patrol the United Kingdom high seas. The ships prevented the continuance of the flourishing slave trade. The law characterized the slave trades a type of piracy. Pirates are arrested and imposed the equivalent punishments (Rodriguez, 1997). Amazing Grace Further, the popular Christian Song, Amazing Grace, typifies the life of a former slave trader. The former slave trader is William Wilberforce. After attending Christian meetings, William Wilberforce was touched by the teachings of the bible. Wilberforce accepted the religious teaching where all men are treated equal under god. Consequently, William Wilberforce made a 180 degree turnaround. The former slave trader used his riches and political power to espouse the cancellation of the very profitable slave trade. The story of Amazing Grace song tells of how William Wilberforce felt that God had used his heavenly power to touch a wretched sinner like William Wilberforce. The Amazing Grace song is still sung during many Christian meetings (Metaxas, 2009). Other Countries’ adherence to Slave Trade Abolition Furthermore, other countries followed the United Kingdom initiatives. Other countries imitated the United Kingdom’s initiatives to approve the anti-slavery law. Sweden imposed a law canceling the slave trade within its borders in 1813. Denmark imposed a law prohibiting the exercise of the profitable slave trade in 1814. Holland also exercised its own version of the anti-slavery law of the United Kingdom. In 1814, France made a sincere commitment to approve a law that prohibits the slave trade in 1819. However, France implemented its local anti-slavery statutes in 1815. Portugal implemented the anti-slavery law on a partial basis. Portugal stopped its slave trade on all areas to the north of the equator, but continued its slave trade on the Southern part of the equator. In 1816, the slaves located in Ceylon were freed (Wilberface & Wilberface, 1838). Protestantism Moreover, William Wilberforce espoused the teachings of Protestantism. In 1784, William Wilberforce was converted to the Protestant faith. The Protestant faith was established to protest some of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. William Wilberforce became a religious member of the Clapham Set Protestant congregation. The Set falls under the umbrella of Anglican Protestant Church. The Anglican Congregation includes many of the bold teachings of the Methodist church movements. William Wilberforce implemented took to heart the social reform concepts of the Protestant movement. Lady Middleton As a Protestant believer, Lady Middleton sought the help of William Wilberforce to stop the slave trade. Middleton persuaded William Wilberforce to use his political power to stop the continuing slave trade. Eagerly responding, William Wilberforce made his first anti-slavery speech on May 12, 1789. The halls of the Tory political environment was filled with literary fireworks as William Wilberforce used the magic of language to convince his fellow politicians to join his fight to stop the selling of kidnapped African Americans. Consequently, William Wilberforce started his 16 year crusade to stop slavery in 1791. In 1823, William Wilberforce joined with the Society for the Mitigation and Gradual Abolition of Slavery. When William Wilberforce died in July 29, 1833, Wilberforce was able to see the graduation of his revised version of the anti-slave trade law proposals (Melton, 2005). Further, William Wilberforce was able to use his eloquence to pave the way for the African British slaves’ freedom (Rodriguez, 1997). William Wilberforce used very convincing words to reverse the hard stance of the pro-slavery political leaders. The same William Wilberforce conducted researches as basis for his very persuasive speeches. Using convincing research evidences, the fellow law makers of United Kingdom understood what William Wilberforce was trying to say. The fellow law makers saw the very essence of stopping the currently profitable slave trade. The same law makers focused on the scrutinizing all the evidences presented by William Wilberforce and his group of anti-slavery trade political proponents. The presented evidences were more than enough to sway the voting towards disbanding the currently flourishing slave trade. Improving the Face of United Kingdom Society Furthermore, William Wilberforce was able to improve the face of United Kingdom society. The population of United Kingdom includes free citizens with African ancestry. Today, Londoners speak an average 300 different languages. In terms or religion, there is an average of 14 different religious beliefs. There is an average of 33 percent of the total London residents are characterized as having African race ancestry. Consequently, the London Mayor Ken Livingston insists that there are many benefits in having a diverse London workforce. The Mayor’s Greater London Authority (GLA) focuses on enhancing a viable diverse workplace with London’s work environment (Kinder, 2008). Additionally, William Wilberforce was instrumental in creating a free work environment (Schermerhorn, 1997). Within the free United Kingdom work environment, The United Kingdom workers include those of African descent. All United Kingdom individuals with African heritage are free persons. The African English residents are free to choose their job preferences. Some of the African English residents prefer to work as teachers of college students. Other United Kingdom residents of African lineage are free to apply as engineers. Another group of United Kingdom residents with African lineage are free to apply as medical doctors. Still, a different group of African English college graduates can apply as computer analysis. William Wilberforce was able to ensure that all African English individuals can freely choose which jobs to apply for, unlike the African English slaves (HouseofCommons, 2006). Moreover, William Wilberforce was able to pave the way for future free film makers with African heritage. The Greater London Council encourages African British film makers to submit their film works of art. The works of art are advertised as some of the art masterpieces of United Kingdom residents. The United Kingdom artist environment freely encourages the residents of African heritage to contribute their musical artworks to the United Kingdom audiences (McNeil, 1979). The African British individuals are not forced to contribute their talents to the musical program. On the other hand, the African British slaves are not allowed to freely join any events without the permission of the slave owners. One such popular film created by African British film producers is the 1986 film entitled The Passion of Remembrance (Bourne, 2005). Further, William Wilberforce was able to pave the way for African British individuals to realize their dreams to be actors. The British residents having African lineage are free to join any film company. In the 2000 Shakespeare play, the African British actor, Oyelowo, received very high press praises for his excellent portrayal of the United Kingdom king. The king was King Lear of the Shakespeare series. Another African British actor Geff Francis played the role of Warwick in another very popular film (Maley, 2013). Business Endeavors Furthermore, William Wilberforce paved the way for free African British individuals to choose their own business endeavors (Kotler, 2006). Today, African British individuals can set up their own businesses. The African British individual can invest in the grocery chain of stores like ASDA. The same The African British individual can invest in a fast food chain like United Kingdom’s McDonald’s fast food restaurant. Other African British individuals can choose to engage in education business. The individuals can set up their own schools. The schools will generate income from the student’s enrollment fees. Conclusion Based on the above discussion, abolition of slavery borders on persuasive expertise. The research indicates William Wilberforce exerted all efforts to abolish slavery. The research proves that religious and other factors aided in the focus to abolish slavery. Evidently, William Wilberforce played a very significant role in abolishing slavery in 1807. References: Bourne, S. (2005). Black in the British Frame. London: Continuum International . House of Commons. (2006). Future of U.K. Manufacturing Oral and Written Evidences . London: House of Commons. Kinder, A. (2008). Employee Well-being Support . London: J. Wiley & Sons. Kotler, P. (2006). Marketing Management. London: Pearson Press. Maley, W. (2013). This England That Shakespeare. London: Ashgate Press. McNeil, E. (1979). The Psychology of Being Human. London: Harper & Rowe. Melton, J. (2005). Encyclopedia of Protestantism. London: Infobase . Metaxas, E. (2009). Amazing Grace. London: Harper Collins. Rodriguez, J. (1997). Historical Encyclopedia of World Slavery. London: ABC. Schermerhorn, J. (1997). Organizational Behaviour. London: J.Wiley & Sons. Wilberface, R., Wilberface, S. (1838). The Life of William Wilberface. New York: University Press. Read More