Slavery is one of the significant events in world history. Most historians and professionals studying slavery define it as a practice of owning human beings as personal property, therefore, having the right to decide on their fate and well-being. This essay looks at some of the significant events leading to the end of slavery by reviewing David Wyatt’s opinion on how slavery died out according to history.
The existence of slavery goes way back from the pre-colonial period, which became more prominent in the colonial era where the slave trade became an economic and social activity. Most victims were either captives from civil wars, criminal offenders, poor people in society, persons sold to pay debts, or community sacrifices. Sometimes, these captives were set free after serving a given period, while others formed resistance groups to free themselves.
Thus, Wyatt believes that the historical development of the abolitionism movement was the beginning of ending slavery in America. Abolitionists regarded slavery as a barbaric and immoral practice that had to end for the good of all citizens (Wyatt, 2009). With the introduction of civilization, this practice was eradicated to develop modern methods of promoting humanity and equal rights, particularly for African-Americans.
The abolition movement became successful after many campaigns, debates and civil wars in different states at different periods. Historians argue that adding the Fifteenth Amendment was the final effort to end slavery when African Americans acquired the civil right to vote (Wyatt, 2009).
Another event leading to the end of slavery is the economic past of slavery. Most abolitionists and anti-slavery communities associated oppression with underdevelopment, economic stagnation, inefficiency, lack of civilization, inadequacy in promoting urbanization, and labor degradation. Anti-slavery societies from North America fought against slavery to improve their economic and social lifestyles rather than racial equality (Wyatt, 2009). History indicates that Northerners were into innovation, morality, and economic growth, hence captivity created a hindrance to achieving the stability needed to move forward.
In conclusion, historians regard the death of slavery as a gradual process with the main driving force being moral grounds, civilization and economic development. Most abolitionists and anti-slavery individuals came from the African Americans and religious communities who advocated for humanity and equal civil rights. Nowadays, civil rights organizations and religious societies still engage in anti-slavery wars in forced labor and prostitution and fight for equal rights in warring racial communities.
Reference
Wyatt, D. (2009), Slaves and warriors in medieval Britain and Ireland, 800-1200, pp. 1-23. Leiben and Boston, Brill.