The Abolition of Slavery Act 1833

The Abolition of Slavery Act 1833 was a law passed by the UK Parliament that officially ended slavery in most British colonies. It declared that enslaved people were legally freed, and slavery was illegal. The act also provided compensation to slave owners for their "loss of property," but did not give freedom directly to enslaved individuals immediately. It marked a major step toward human rights and the recognition that slavery was wrong. The law helped to promote equality and set the stage for future anti-slavery efforts globally.