Late 18th Century:
- 1772: Lord Mansfield's judgment in the Somerset case in England declared that slavery was not supported by English common law, effectively abolishing slavery in England and Wales.
- 1787: The Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade (later renamed the Anti-Slavery Society) was founded in England by Thomas Clarkson, William Wilberforce, and Granville Sharp.
Early 19th Century:
- 1807: The British Parliament passed the Abolition Act, which abolished the transatlantic slave trade within the British Empire.
- 1808: The United States Congress passed the Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves, which prohibited the importation of new slaves into the U.S. from abroad.
Mid-19th Century:
- 1831: Nat Turner's rebellion, a major slave rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia, influenced the growing anti-slavery sentiment.
- 1833: The British Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act, abolishing slavery in most British colonies (excluding some like India).
- 1840: The World Anti-Slavery Convention was held in London, bringing together abolitionists from different countries to coordinate efforts.
- 1850: The Fugitive Slave Act was passed in the United States, requiring norther states to return escaped slaves to their owners in the south. This act intensified tensions between the North and the South.
Late 19th Century:
- 1861-1865: The American Civil War took place, sparked by the issue of slavery among other factors. The Union victory, led by President Abraham Lincoln, resulted in the abolition of slavery in the United States with the ratification of the 13th Amendment in 1865.
20th Century:
- 1926: Slavery was formally abolished in the League of Nations' Slavery Convention.
The abolitionist movement gained momentum due to the efforts of dedicated individuals, organizations, and social activists who raised awareness about the inhumanity and injustice of slavery. Their collective efforts played a significant role in shaping public opinion, influencing government policies, and ultimately leading to the abolition of slavery in many parts of the world.