Abolition of slavery

• About abolition

  Background and information about Britain and the transatlantic slave trade, and relevant records held by The National Archives.

  Read about the abolition

• Learn more

  Download and view digitised records relating to the transatlantic slave trade, from slave ship logs to abolitionists’ wills.

  Learn more about our collection

• Education

  Explore our Learning Curve sites:

  • Slavery: How did the Abolition Acts of 1807 and 1833 affect slavery?
  • Why did the British become empire builders in Africa?
  • Bussa’s Rebellion

• Research guides

  Get started on your own studies by reading our comprehensive research guides.

  View our large range of research guides

• Online resources

  Visit other online exhibitions on The National Archives site and beyond relating to the slave trade, Caribbean history and migration to Britain.

  View our online resources

• Further reading

  Selections from The National Archives’ bookshop:

  • Tracing your West Indian ancestors
  • Short History of Slavery
  • Family history on the move

The illustrations used on these pages are taken from the journals of Jean Barbot, held by The National Archives. Between 1678 and 1682 Jean Barbot, a French commercial agent, traded for gold along the Gold Coast (now Ghana) in West Africa. His journals make a variety of observations on African life and include many beautiful illustrations. (Catalogue reference: ADM 7/830A and ADM 7/830B).