SLAVE TRADE

IN 1807, LORD GRENVILLE’S BILL TO ABOLISH THE SLAVE TRADE PASSED THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AND WAS APPROVED BY THE BRITISH CROWN. THAT SAME YEAR, THE U.S. RESPONDED TO PRESIDENT JEFFERSON’S DECEMBER 1806 ANNUAL MESSAGE AGAINST THE “VIOLATION” OF THE SLAVE TRADE BY PASSING A LAW PROHIBITING AMERICANS FROM INVOLVEMENT IN THE INTERNATIONAL SLAVE TRADE. DESPITE BRITISH AND AMERICAN ACTION AGAINST THE SLAVE TRADE, THE FORCED MIGRATION OF AFRICANS CONTINUED. BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES POSSESSED A LARGELY SELF PRODUCING SLAVE POPULATION AFTER 1800, THE US WAS NOT THE MAJOR MARKET FOR SLAVE TRADING.