In 1807, the slave trade was abolished by the British Parliament. It became illegal to buy and sell slaves, but people could still own them. In 1833 Parliament finally abolished slavery itself, both in Britain and throughout the British Empire. Why, when the slave trade and the plantations in the West Indies seemed to be making so much money, were they abolished? It was due to a mixture of white campaigners, slaves and economics of the slave trade which finally brought slavery to an end.

In 1765, Granville Sharp helped a black slave called Jonathon Strong who had been abused by his owner and was going to be taken to Jamaica. Jonathon took the case to court and won and then fought for other slaves and stopped them from being sent back to the West Indies. He was also involved in other court...