The years preceding the founding of the United States of America were a time of great upheaval and revolution; a time period filled with drastic changes in thought and customs, on both sides of the Atlantic. While colonists were becoming increasingly fed up with the taxes imposed on them by England and their lack of economic freedom, English abolitionist efforts were intensifying, and would be further strengthened by a hugely influential court case. The 1772 case of Somerset v Stewart would mark a significant victory for abolitionist groups and would signify for many the end of slavery in Britain. Its effects would reach far beyond England, inspiring similar changes in thought among the colonies and sparking a vast array of impacts. This landmark
…show more content…
Following the case’s ruling, abolitionist efforts in the newly formed nation had become stronger and slave owners became increasingly concerned about the issue of fugitive slaves. The people of the new nation were prompted to more directly address how they were going to deal with runaway slaves, and southerners were intent on pushing for Constitutional protections that would preserve slavery and ensure that slaves be brought back to them if they managed to escape. Consequently, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 was established, stating that no slave in one state should be freed if they escape into another state. Here we see a possible connection to the case of Somerset v Stewart, with southerners possibly trying to ensure that similar decisions would not be reached regarding slaves who escape into different territories. Virginia’s royal governor also issued an Emancipation Proclamation, which would free slaves granted they were willing to join British forces, and this rule was likely intended to help bring rebellious colonists back in …show more content…
Anti-slavery campaigners Thomas Clarkson and James Ransay even went so far as to purchase a slave for the purpose of proving that slavery still existed in the country. This signifies that England was not as progressive as the case’s ruling made the country appear, and that the decision was likely the result of legal technicalities rather than a genuine intent to further the abolition of slavery in the country altogether. The country largely held onto their old ways and despite the beliefs of many, Somerset v Stewart did not truly signify the end of slavery in England. Somerset v Stewart also foreshadowed a greater opposition towards slavery in the newly formed United States, which would last for a very long time. During the time of the case, a correspondent wrote in the Virginia Gazette, “the spirit of liberty has diffused itself so far amongst that Species of People that they have established a Club near Charing Cross, where they meet every Monday night, for the more effectual recovery of their freedom.” Despite the rising defensiveness of the Southerners over their believed right to own slaves, abolition efforts did not
Following the case’s ruling, abolitionist efforts in the newly formed nation had become stronger and slave owners became increasingly concerned about the issue of fugitive slaves. The people of the new nation were prompted to more directly address how they were going to deal with runaway slaves, and southerners were intent on pushing for Constitutional protections that would preserve slavery and ensure that slaves be brought back to them if they managed to escape. Consequently, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 was established, stating that no slave in one state should be freed if they escape into another state. Here we see a possible connection to the case of Somerset v Stewart, with southerners possibly trying to ensure that similar decisions would not be reached regarding slaves who escape into different territories. Virginia’s royal governor also issued an Emancipation Proclamation, which would free slaves granted they were willing to join British forces, and this rule was likely intended to help bring rebellious colonists back in …show more content…
Anti-slavery campaigners Thomas Clarkson and James Ransay even went so far as to purchase a slave for the purpose of proving that slavery still existed in the country. This signifies that England was not as progressive as the case’s ruling made the country appear, and that the decision was likely the result of legal technicalities rather than a genuine intent to further the abolition of slavery in the country altogether. The country largely held onto their old ways and despite the beliefs of many, Somerset v Stewart did not truly signify the end of slavery in England. Somerset v Stewart also foreshadowed a greater opposition towards slavery in the newly formed United States, which would last for a very long time. During the time of the case, a correspondent wrote in the Virginia Gazette, “the spirit of liberty has diffused itself so far amongst that Species of People that they have established a Club near Charing Cross, where they meet every Monday night, for the more effectual recovery of their freedom.” Despite the rising defensiveness of the Southerners over their believed right to own slaves, abolition efforts did not