Why Did the Oppsition to the Abolition Movement Failed

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Why did the opposition to the abolition movement fail? The aim of the abolition movement was to persuade the public and the government to end Slave trade, and later on Slavery itself. Wilberforce, a Whig was the first MP to introduce abolition of slavery in the parliament. The abolitionists have used petitions, speeches and pamphlets to persuade the nation. However, there were individuals and groups who were opposing abolition. Merchants, plantation owners, slave traders and anyone else who has benefited from slaves, have opposed. Anti-abolitionists believed that abolition would create poverty, unemployment and many things, such as dry docks and industries that were designed for slavery and slave trade will be wasted. Some individuals have used religion as an excuse, for example a Spanish priest, Raymund Harris, argued that slavery is part of nature, and even it is approved by the Pope. Some anti-abolitionists have argued that by abolishing slave trade and slavery, the freedom and liberty of individuals who are benefiting from slavery will be taken away. Merchants were seen more important than slaves. Others believed that if slave trade will end in Britain, other countries such as Spain and France will benefit from it because they will continue with the trading. But the opposition have failed, as slave trading was officially illegal from 1807 and slavery was illegal from 1833. Dundas was removed for mismanagement of funds, which benefited Wilberforce; he was able to continue with his speeches and acts without interruption. Also, revolutionary acts were made in the West Indies by African slaves. By 1820, Caribbean islands were African slave dominated; whites were living in a constant fear,

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