Black Abolition

The movement to end racial slavery began along the African coast as Africans resisted slave traders. As the trade in captive Africans increased, so too did the resistance against slavery. Captive Africans engaged in armed rebellion, work stoppages, and self-liberation.

By the late 18th century, an organized movement to legally abolish racial slavery took shape around the Atlantic. This movement drew inspiration from earlier antislavery rebellions and developed new tactics to combat racial slavery, from petitions and literature to networks and strikes. Though abolitionists of all backgrounds worked together, Black abolitionists often took a more radical stance than their white counterparts, envisioning futures of racial equity beyond legal emancipation.

Revolt— Africans fought in rebellions and revolutions to gain or maintain their freedoms. Whether battling enslavers or colonists in Africa or in the Americas, rebellion remained an ever-present option. The continuity of rebellion throughout these histories reminds us of the resilience of Black people and their deep connections to abolition.

At Sea — Africans constantly resisted enslavement aboard slave ships. Over 500 shipboard revolts were recorded between the late 16th and 19th centuries. When successful, Africans killed or captured their enslavers—some even returned to Africa or navigated the vessels to freedom. When unsuccessful, further brutality awaited resisters.

Networks — Black abolitionists across the Atlantic developed networks in their efforts to end slavery. These networks supported political activism for civil rights, spread antislavery messages, and aided people escaping to freedom. The transnational dimensions of the abolition movement contributed to a growing Black identity and connection.

Petitions — Enslaved and free Black people resisted slavery and fought for freedom and equal rights. They submitted individual and collective petitions for freedom to the courts and legislatures, demanding liberation.

Publications — Black Abolitionists and their allies documented and published the horrors of slavery in printed works such as books and newspapers. By distributing firsthand accounts of enslavement, abolitionists were able to spread news of the evils of slavery and contribute to the unending fight for freedom.

Refusals — Refusals to work—either individually or collectively—allowed enslaved people to assert their humanity in defiance of the system of slavery. These acts included work stoppages, collective bargaining, sabotage, and self-emancipation. Through their defiance, enslaved people demonstrated a desire for dignity and full freedom that drove the call for abolition.