France and the abolition of slavery: slavery was first abolished in France in 1794, then definitively abolished in 1848

1. Slavery was first abolished in France in 1794, then definitively abolished in 1848.

On 4 February 1794, the First Republic (Convention) voted for the abolition of slavery in all French colonies. The abolition decree stated that "the Convention declares the slavery of the Blacks abolished in all the colonies; consequently, all men, irrespective of colour, living in the colonies are French citizens and will enjoy all the rights provided by the Constitution."

Restored by the Consulate in 1802, slavery was definitively abolished in 1848 by the Second Republic, on Victor Schoelcher’s initiative.

2. For several years now, the French public authorities have been taking decisions to condemn slavery and commemorate its abolition.

- France became the first major Western country to adopt legislation recognizing the slave trade as a "crime against humanity" when the French Parliament passed the Taubira Act on 10 May 2001.¹

- France is also the first major Western country officially to commemorate its abolition. President Chirac set the day of 10 May for commemorating the memory of slavery and its abolition.² On 10 May this year, the Minister Delegate for Cooperation, Development and Francophony was in Senegal marking the first commemorative day for remembering the slave trade, slavery and their abolition.³

- The work of remembrance is continuing: a place is to be allocated to this commemoration in the National Curriculum. A national research centre has been created on this subject.

- Finally, President Chirac has ensured that vigilance is maintained by announcing on 30 January 2006 a European and international initiative to penalize businesses engaging in new forms of slavery such as forced or child labour./.

Notes and links:

1. comite-memoire-esclavage.fr (in French)

2. premier-ministre.gouv.fr

3. diplomatie.gouv.fr (in French)

President Chirac’s speeches on:

- 30 January 2006 (http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/Speech-by-M-Jacques-Chirac,6848.html)

- 10 May 2006 (http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/Speech-by-M-Jacques-Chirac,7230.html)

Last updated: 06.12.2006