The Abolition of Slavery

1790: Peak of the Transatlantic Trade

At this time, slavery was legally sanctioned across most of the globe (red). The map highlights the major European powers and powerful African kingdoms (like the Ashanti, Oyo, and Kongo) that were integral to the transatlantic slave trade, which was near its peak. The process of abolition was just beginning in a few US states (orange), a radical idea in a world economy built on forced labor.

1850: A World Divided

A stark global divide was clear. Major empires had abolished chattel slavery (green), while it remained legal in others (red). While the British were attempting to suppress the Atlantic trade, the Arab slave trade flourished in East Africa, and powerful kingdoms in the African interior continued the practice (red). The United States was split between free (green) and slave (red) states.

1900: The Age of Imperial Labor

By 1900, chattel slavery was legally abolished in the Americas and Europe (green). However, following the “Scramble for Africa,” the continent was carved up into colonies. The map shows the prevalence of brutal forced labor regimes (orange) imposed by European powers, replacing one system of bondage with another. Slavery was also still declining but present in nations like China and the Ottoman Empire (orange).

2000: Universal Legal Prohibition

At the turn of the millennium, every country had formally outlawed slavery, making the world map universally green from a legal standpoint. The focus had shifted from legal battles to combating the lingering, de facto existence of modern slavery.

Mauritania was the last country to officially abolish slavery in 1981.

Today: The Enduring Challenge

While legally abolished everywhere, slavery has evolved into modern forms like human trafficking and forced labor. The map is universally green, representing legal prohibition, but the fight for true freedom continues for millions.