Comerciar con la sangre de nuestros hermanos: Early Abolitionist Discourses in Spain's Empire

Abstract

The proposal of Agustín de Argüelles to abolish the slave trade in 1811 was crucial in defining a new ideological stance within the Spanish political debate by adopting the moral condemnation elaborated by the British abolitionist movement. His initiative was the result of a coordinated strategy with the British authorities and was key in the construction of early abolitionist discourses in Spain. This article explores the political, ideological and diplomatic influence of Britain in the development of early anti-slavery and anti-slave trade discourses in Spain and the centrality of Argüelles' proposal.

“Without liberty there is no honour”, nor democracy. Cuba, slavery and abolitionism in nineteenth century Spain’s empire

“…The British government, in close collaboration with the British abolitionist lobby headed by William Wilberforce, was committed to achieving the international abolition of the slave trade. These actions were behind the parliamentary proposal of Agustín de Argüelles in April 1811, which was to become crucial in defining a new ideological stance within the Spanish political debate (Sanjurjo, 2017).…”

“…They fundamentally appealed to their property rights to reject the abolition, but also to their 'right' to be listed and their interests to be protected by a representative parliament. Eventually, the proposal of Argüelles was relegated to a secret 'special commission' which buried the issue and never submitted a report back to the Cortes (Sanjurjo 2017;Piqueras 2002a, 474).…”