The beginning of the end of the global slave trade started with the Declaration of the Rights of Man. Passed into law on August 26, 1789, it created a conflict that was incompatible with the slave-owning society.
Article 1. Men are born and remain free and equal in rights.
While Article 1 makes it perfectly clear that slavery should be outlawed in French territory, a latter article created a contradiction that could ultimately only lead to violence.
Article 17. Property being an inviolable and sacred right, no one can be deprived of it...
This is Part 2 of a series. You can find Part 1 here.
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