What were methods of abolitionists? (6)
• William Wilberforce was an abolitionist MP who introduced Bills to Parliament in an effort to have the law changed, for 16years consecutively. He used evidence from other abolitionists to persuade MPs to support abolition.
• Thomas Clarkson travelled around Britain gathering evidence of the cruelty of the slave trade. He collected physical items such as whips and shackles, along with interviews from those involved in the trade. Clarkson also prepared pamphlets and illustrations , such as a diagram of how slaves were packed on board ships.
• Granville Sharp was involved in taking several cases involving slavery to court in Britain. For example, in the 'Somerset' case it was decided that there was no 'slavery' in Britain - although this did not stop the trade as slaves never came to Britain on the triangular route.
• Olaudah Equiano was a freed slave who wrote his life story in what became a very successful book. His story demonstrated that slaves were articulate and intelligent human beings, changing some attitudes towards the slave trade.
• Josiah Wedgwood owned a ceramics business which designed and manufactured a medallion with the image of a slave and the phrase 'Am I not a man and a brother?'. This was widely distributed and gained great publicity for the campaign.
• John Newton had been a crew member on a slave ship who later became a Church of England minister. He issued a pamphlet detailing his experience of the Middle Passage and apologising for his part in the trade. This gave an eye-witness account of the cruelty.
• Hannah More was a poet from Bristol. Along with writing poetry about the harsh nature of slavery, she encouraged women to boycott slave produced sugar. Some shops reported a 30% drop in sales.