Slavery abolished in Mauritius
- When
- 1835
- Where
- Mauritius; British Government
- Episodes
- 3
Slavery in Mauritius ended on 1 February 1835, under the British Slavery Abolition Act 1833. Long opposed by local planters, the measure freed 66,343 people. Planters ultimately received two million pounds sterling in compensation for the loss of enslaved people, who had been imported from Africa and Madagascar during the French occupation.
Episodes
- Indentured Labor Recruitment
Post-abolition, Mauritius recruited indentured laborers from India and other regions for sugar plantations.
- Abolition Effective in Mauritius
Slavery officially ended in Mauritius on 1 February 1835, freeing 66,343 people despite planter opposition.
- Compensation Loan Negotiation
The British government secured a £15 million loan in August 1835 to fund slave compensation.
Background and detail
Background. Mauritius, formerly Isle de France, was ceded to Britain in 1810. The Slavery Abolition Act 1833, enacted by the British Parliament, mandated compensated emancipation across the Empire. Although the Act received royal assent in August 1833, its implementation in Mauritius faced resistance from local planters. The abolition of slavery became effective in Mauritius on 1 February 1835.
Compensation and Finance. The British government financed compensation for slave owners through a massive loan. In August 1835, a £15 million loan was negotiated with financiers Nathan Mayer Rothschild and Moïse Montefiore. Mauritian planters ultimately received two million pounds sterling for the loss of their slaves. These enslaved individuals had originally been imported from Africa and Madagascar during the French colonial period.
People involved
- Nathan Mayer Rothschild · Financier
- Moïse Montefiore · Financier
- Mauritian Planters · Opponents of abolition
Sources
- History of Mauritius Wikipedia
- Mauritius Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-18
- Slavery Abolition Act 1833 Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-19
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