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[electriic ink]

On the 25/3/1807, the Slave Trade Act was signed which abolished all slavery in Britain and her empire, ending 245 years of slave-trading. The practice began during Elizabethan England when John Hawkins led the first slave expedition. Over time, many people were opposed to this but those who led the opposition were Evangelical Protestants, united with the Quakers in their anti-slavery views. In 1807 there were many like-minded members of Parliament and at their height, they had some 37 seats, a healthy antagonism.

The law became effective on 1/5/1807 and the USA followed quickly, making their law effective on the first day of 1808. The British navy said that any ships carrying slaves were pirate's ships so were subject to destruction and the owners of them could be executed. However, the USA didn't enforce their law as effectively.

Even 200 years onwards, people still think that Britain should make a formal public apology for the slave trade, particularly one Archbishop of York. Tony Blair has already admitted, "we are sorry" but is to further his apologies in Ghana today, on the anniversary of the law that abolished slavery. A video message from the PM will be played at Elmina Castle where slaves were stored before being shipped to the Americas.

Other events are set to take place around the ex-colonies of Britain, whom was the world leader in transporting slaves across the Atlantic to the New World.

We are sorry for enslaving people but we did that many hundreds of years ago. You can't hate us for something we did so many centuries ago. Surely you don't hate Germany for starting WWII, do you? I don't. Many of Germany's citizens would spit on the idea of a new Hitler, just as we spit on the idea of slavery. It is a big thing, I admit and I understand why people are so angry but we've done so much to try and stop it, even now people are donating money to charities whom stop slavery in Africa. We were the world leader in the slave trade but we were also the world leader in preventing it.

[stevethedog]

I love the bit on Family Guy when he takes the ball and chain of the slave and says

" so you're free to go..... we're cool right?"