Abolition of the Slave Trade through World War II, 1807 - 1945

1807 British slave trade abolished.

1834 Slavery abolished throughout the British Empire. Legislation required slaves to work for former masters for 45 hours per week, unpaid, for four years. Owners were paid £20 million compensation. Slaves were not provided with any compensation

1838 - 1917 500,000 people, both men and women, took part in indentured Indian labour scheme. Indentured servants agreed to work for five years, had no freedom to change employers, were badly paid and ill treated. There was a very low birth rate and very high death rate.

This period also saw a steady decline in numbers and visibility of London's black population, as fewer black people were brought to Britain by West Indian planters and restrictions were placed on immigration from Africa.

1880s Small black dockside communities began to appear in London's Canning Town and in Liverpool and Cardiff.

Early 20th Century Increase in African and Asian students, political activists, sportsmen and businessmen in the UK.

World War I Black merchant seamen and soldiers contributed to the growth of black communities in London and port cities. Small groups of students from Africa and the Caribbean continued to have a small presence.

World War II Small numbers of Caribbean and West African men and women came to the UK as wartime workers, merchant seamen and servicemen and women in the army, navy and air forces. Perhaps 20,000 blacks in Britain concentrated in dockside areas of London, Liverpool and Cardiff.