- In Britain and its colonies, slavery was abolished in the 1800s. The transatlantic slave trade was banned in 1807. Slavery itself was gradually abolished: in Scotland in 1778, and throughout the Empire in 1834.
- The United States abolished slavery in December 1865 with the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, following the American Civil War from 1861-1865.
- Brazil became the last Western country to abolish slavery, passing the Lei Áurea (the Golden Law) on May 13, 1888.