Did William Wilberforce free his slaves?

Answer 1

In 1787, William Wilberforce became leader of the parliamentary campaign of the Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. Between 1789 and 1806, he attempted to pass numerous parliamentary bills against the slave trade, but was unsuccessful each time, as many of the members of parliament stood to profit from their own indirect involvement in the trade.

In 1806, a change of tactics was suggested by maritime lawyer James Stephen. This involved introducing a bill to ban British subjects from aiding or participating in the slave trade to the French colonies, It was a smart move, as the majority of the ships were flying American flags, though manned by British crews and sailing out of Liverpool. The Foreign Slave Trade Act was quickly passed and the tactic proved successful. The new legislation effectively prohibited two-thirds of the British slave trade. In the long run, many MPs who had benefited from the slave trade lost their financial support, and ultimately their position in parliament. This opened the way for a further attempt to pass an Abolition bill.

Further support from Abolitionists enabled the final passing of an Abolition Bill on 23 February 1807. As tributes were made to Wilberforce, who had laboured for the cause during the preceding twenty years, the bill was carried by 283 votes to 16. The Slave Trade Act received the royal assent on 25 March 1807. This Act did not free those who were already slaves; it was not until 1833 that an act was passed giving freedom to all slaves in the British empire.

Answer 2

The Slave Trade was abolished in 1807, but it didn't free those who were already slaves.

Only that there would be no more people BECOMING slaves.

Answer 3

William wilberforce was not for slavery that is why he wanted it to be abolished and why he became an abolitionist and yes that is the correct spelling.