End of slavery in France

The origins of slavery in France can be track to the kingdom of Clovis I at the time of slavery in Merovingian France in the 4th Century, among them the slave Frankish queens can be named Ingund, Fredegund, Bilichild, Nanthild, and Balthild.[1][2][3] Slavery continued during the Carolingian Empire.

Background

In 1198 the Trinitarians founded with the purpose of redeeming war captives, that was one of the earliest steps to eliminate slavery in France.

In 1315 Louis X, France, publishes a decree abolishing slavery and proclaiming that "France signifies freedom", that any slave setting foot on French ground should be freed.[4] However some limited cases of slavery continued until the 17th century in some of France's Mediterranean harbours in Provence, as well as until the 18th century in some of France's overseas territories. Most aspects of serfdom are also eliminated de facto between 1315 and 1318.[5] Louis X died two years after this events. In 1318 King Philip V abolishes serfdom in his domain.[6]

Society of the Friends of the Blacks
Main article: Society of the Friends of the Blacks

The Society of the Friends of the Blacks was founded in Paris in 1788, and remained active until 1793, during the midst of the French Revolution. It was led by Jacques Pierre Brissot, who frequently received advice from British abolitionist Thomas Clarkson, who led the abolitionist movement in Great Britain. At the beginning of 1789, the Society had 141 members.[7]

Period from 1794 to 1845

A series of events took place since 1791 that lead to the elimination of institutionalized slavery in France, some of the were:

The national convention and the first elected Assembly of the First Republic (1792–1804), on 4 February 1794, under the leadership of Maximilien Robespierre, abolished slavery in law in France and its colonies, territories and possessions.

Abbé Grégoire and the Society of the Friends of the Blacks were part of the abolitionist movement, which had laid important groundwork in building anti-slavery sentiment in the metropole. The first article of the law stated that "Slavery was abolished" in the French colonies, while the second article stated that "slave-owners would be indemnified" with financial compensation for the value of their slaves. The French constitution passed in 1795 included in the declaration of the Rights of Man that slavery was abolished.

  • In 1802 Napoleon re-introduces slavery in sugarcane-growing colonies. In 1815 Napoleon abolishes the slave trade.
  • In 1818 the slave trade is banned in France.

Proclamation of the Abolition of Slavery in the French Colonies
Main article: Proclamation of the Abolition of Slavery in the French Colonies, 27 April 1848

On April 27, 1848 took place the Proclamation of the Abolition of Slavery in the French Colonies. The effective abolition was enacted with the Decree abolishing Slavery of 27 April 1848. Gabon is founded as a settlement for emancipated slaves.[8]

Slavery in France in the 21st century

Since when slavery was abolished in France in 1848 many other events have enforced the effort to eliminate any other forms of slavery, in 1890 took place the Brussels Conference Act – a collection of anti-slavery measures to put an end to the slave trade on land and sea. In 1904 was signed the International Agreement for the suppression of the White Slave Traffic. In Slavery Convention is ratified.

Even when slavery is no longer promoted nor tolerated and became illegal during more than one century, many criminal organization have been practicing human trafficking and slave trade, for this reason human in 1890 took place the Brussels Conference Act – a collection of anti-slavery measures to put an end to the slave trade on land and sea, especially in the Congo Basin, the Ottoman Empire, and the East African coast. In 1904 took place the International Agreement for the suppression of the White Slave Traffic was signed in Paris. Only France, the Netherlands and Russia extend the treaty to the whole extent of their colonial empires with immediate effect. In 1926 the Slavery Convention is ratified by France and other nations. Even when slavery have been prohibited for more than one century, many criminal organization have being practicing human trafficking and slave trade. For this reason in July 25, 2013 France recognized modern-day slavery as a crime punishable by up to 30 years in jail.[9]

See also

References
  1. Jo Ann McNamara, John E. Halborg, and E. Gordon Whatley, eds., Sainted Women of the Dark Ages, (Durham and London: Duke University Press, 1992),p.264
  2. E. T. Dailey, Queens, Consorts, Concubines: Gregory of Tours and Women of the Merovingian Elite, (Brill, 2015), p.116
  3. Copied from the article Slavery in Merovingian France
  4. Miller, Christopher L. (11 January 2008). The French Atlantic triangle: literature and culture of the slave trade. p. 20. ISBN 978-0822341512. Retrieved 2013-08-28.
  5. "Disappearance of Serfdom. France. England. Italy. Germany. Spain". www.1902encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  6. PITTORESQUE, LA FRANCE (2018-01-23). "23 janvier 1318 : le roi Philippe V affranchit les serfs de ses domaines". La France pittoresque. Histoire de France, Patrimoine, Tourisme, Gastronomie (in French). Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  7. Copied from the article Society of the Friends of the Blacks
  8. Copied from the article Timeline of abolition of slavery and serfdom
  9. "France recognizes modern slavery as crime". 25 July 2013.
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