Behind the Bastards Part Three: X-Mas Special: The Heroes Who Ended The Slave Trade
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Dec 25, 2025 James Stout, an author and historian focused on revolutionary movements, joins to explore the heroic figures who ended the Atlantic Slave Trade. They discuss Granville Sharp's efforts following the Zorg massacre and Thomas Clarkson's transformation into a devoted abolitionist. The impact of firsthand narratives from Equiano and Cugoano is highlighted, showcasing their influential autobiographies. Stout also covers the Dolben Act's significance and the powerful mobilization techniques used to sway public opinion and parliamentary action. It's a profound look at a pivotal moment in history.
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Scholarship That Sparked A Movement
- Thomas Clarkson's Cambridge essay radicalized him into lifelong abolitionist organizing and investigation.
- His academic prize turned into a practical campaign that helped mainstream the movement.
Research That Kept Him Awake
- Clarkson read Anthony Benezet and other sources and became physically distraught over the realities of the slave trade.
- He later described sleepless nights and constant grief as he researched the trade.
Big-Tent Strategy For Abolition
- Sharp, Clarkson, and allies formed the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade as a broad, pragmatic coalition.
- They focused first on banning the Atlantic trade to build wider support for full emancipation.
