Talk:Abolitionism

This article was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 18 January 2022 and 5 May 2022. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Bmduncan2 (article contribs).

That's a lie Portugal did it first correct Thiss Portugal abolish slavery in 1761 not Haiti the first

Thiss post is a lie Portugal was first in 1761. Pls change Thiss is my country history 2001:818:EB77:D500:18C2:1B4B:57B7:AF51 (talk) 01:59, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

lacks a reliable source. Most of European countries had ended slavery by then. Unaware of slavery in Portugal's large empire. Rjensen (talk) 02:16, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

Almost all European countries abolished slavery during the middle ages. They later allowed slavery in their colonies, despite it being illegal in the european motherland itself. Portugal allowed slavery in their colonies after 1761. --Aciram (talk) 02:35, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

Poland

I am surprised Poland is not mentioned, one of the first countries in Europe to abolish slavery. Slavery in Poland disappeared by the 12th century. One notable instance: the “Statutes of Casimir the Great” issued in Wiślica in 1347 included provisions emancipating non-free people—indicating a shift away from institutionalized slavery. (Wikipedia, Slavery in Poland). 2407:E400:FB:7602:0:0:0:1 (talk) 10:35, 19 August 2025 (UTC)

Can you suggest a citation for this? We need verification from a reliable source. Peaceray (talk) 15:25, 19 August 2025 (UTC)

The article anon mentioned - Slavery in Poland - provides a more nuanced interpretation, pointing out that "It continued to exist in various forms until late in the 14th century when it was supplanted by the institution of serfdom, which has often been considered a form of modified slavery." Legal declarations from the middle ages aren't necessarily probative; enforcement of these edicts was often not particularly rigorous. As well, historical borders fluctuated constantly until the modern era, blurring the definition of 'Poland' and other countries. It's worthwhile reviewing the section on the Crimean slave trade in the Slavery in Poland article. Things were not as simple as suggested.

Lastly, 'abolitionism' in its modern form is/was a political movement far different from historical avenues, and that is the primary thrust of this article, rather than the historical background touched upon in the lede. cheers. anastrophe, an editor he is. 17:43, 19 August 2025 (UTC)

New source ?

This book sounds like an interesting source. I’m posting it here for anyone keen on the subject wants to pursue it.: The Zorg: A Tale of Greed, Murder and the Abolition of Slavery by Siddharth Kara is published by Doubleday (£22)

Humpster (talk) 16:23, 30 December 2025 (UTC)

Gordon S. Wood

The recent passing of historian G.S. Wood has brought back to the surface some of his articles, links, and lectures in various algorithms. In one video where he is talking about how disreputable The 1619 Project is, Gordon points out that abolitionism movements first appeared in North America before anywhere else in the world and specifically it was the American Revolution which changed everything.(1:54 to 2:05)

"But its the Revolution that makes it a problem for the world, and the first real anti-slave movement takes place in North America. This is what is missed in these essays in The 1619 Project."

The second half of American abolitionism is very well discussed starting with William Lloyd Garrison in the 1830s, but the beginnings of American abolitionism starting with Anthony Benezet in the 1760s are often ignored even though they should not be. One of the best books that could be used to fill the gaps in this wiki article would probably be historian Maurice Jackson's excellent Let This Voice Be Heard which chronicles the life and accomplishments of Anthony Benezet and other early abolitionists around him. Benezet's abolitionism precedes both the aforementioned well known Garrison, but Benezet also precedes the British abolitionists such as Clarkson and others, and Benezet was a pen pal of both (abolitionists) Benjamin Franklin as well as Granville Sharp. Due to Benezet's leadership and influence including among early British abolitionists, Jackson considers Benezet to be the father of Atlantic abolitionism which is probably a title which is well deserved. Progressingamerica (talk) 22:59, 15 June 2026 (UTC)