Britain abolishes the slave trade and establishes the West Africa Squadron

Background. The Slave Trade Act 1807 prohibited the Atlantic slave trade in the British Empire, taking effect on 1 May 1807 after 18 years of legislative efforts. Although it did not emancipate enslaved people, it encouraged British action to press other nations to abolish their trades. The Royal Navy established the West Africa Squadron in 1808 to patrol the coast of West Africa in suppression of the trade.

Enforcement. The West Africa Squadron, also known as the Preventive Squadron, was formed in 1808 and based out of Portsmouth, England. It remained an independent command until 1856, and again from 1866 to 1867. The squadron's impact is debated: some argue it played a significant or even decisive role in the extermination of the transatlantic slave trade, while others argue it was poorly resourced, hamstrung in its enforcement duties, plagued by corruption, and not chiefly responsible for the decline and end of the trade.

Legal Framework. The Slave Trade Act 1807 prohibited British subjects from engaging in the Atlantic slave trade, crewing, sponsoring, and fitting out slave ships. A Vice Admiralty Court was established in Freetown in 1807, which became the capital of British Sierra Leone the following year.