For two hundred years, the abolition of slavery in Britain has been a cause for self-congratulation – but no longer! When the Anti-Slavery Society was founded in 1823, it was confronted by a formidable lobby comprising slaveholders, merchants, politicians, journalists and intellectuals. This talk explores the ferocious campaign of the British pro-slavery lobby to preserve the institution of colonial slavery – even, in 1833, securing £20m in compensation for the slaveholders.
Michael will be interviewed by George Cochrane
Michael is the author of The Interest: How the British Establishment Resisted the Abolition of Slavery
SHORTLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING
A DAILY TELEGRAPH BOOK OF THE YEAR
‘A critical piece of history and a devastating exposé’ Shashi Tharoor, author of Inglorious Empire
‘Thoroughly researched and potent’ David Lammy MP
‘Essential reading’ Simon Sebag Montefiore
Twitter is @M_H_Taylor
This session is presented in association with the North-East Labour History Society. More information is available here